I had a Rowenta seam generating iron for approx. 10 years before I wore out the on/off switch. A friend at church re-wired it so that I had to unplug it to turn it off. Lasted a little longer. Just got my Rowenta DG8430 Precision Steam Station with 400 hole soleplate and I sure hope nothing happens to it. No other iron I've had produces the amount of steam AND since water is not in iron itself - it never leaks. You have to have unplug from socket to turn it off and the water tank is not removable like my old one.