Abstract: A stepwise control for two-step control operations comprising a series of switching stages which for each stage value of a control magnitude as the input magnitude switches-on a corresponding stage value of a physical output magnitude as an adjustment magnitude and each of which possess switching hysteresis, the width of which is defined by the difference of the values of the input magnitude for switching-in and switching-off the switching stage, there being present a smallest stage value of the output magnitude and the value of the output magnitude of a subsequent stage is greater by the amount of such smallest stage value than that of the preceding stages and the total value of the output magnitude is divided over the switching stages into such partial values that by switching-on and/or switching-off the switching stages it is possible to portray the individual stage values of the output magnitude.