An apparatus is provided to control a plumbing fixture, such as a whirlpool, that has electrically operated components. The apparatus has a dial that is moveable by the user into a plurality of positions to select a function of the plumbing fixture to be controlled. A unique sensor arrangement detects motion and the direction of the motion and provides a signal to a controller that changes the value of a pointer that designates which function is presently selected. The user then presses a keypad to indicate whether the selected funtion is to be activated or deactivated and to control the intensity of the selected function. The signals from the keypad also are applied to the controller.
