Abstract: An input stage for programmable controllers in which a Schmitt trigger and a two-terminal configuration having a negative resistance characteristic are combined in an integrated circuit. A first resistor supplementing this bipolar configuration to form a constant-current sink is connected externally of the integrated circuit in parallel with the bipolar configuration. A power loss mainly develops in the first resistor which is external of the integrated circuit so that multi-channel input stages are able to be realized cost-effectively without requiring a supply of cooling air to cool the integrated circuit. A second resistor may be connected external of the integrated circuit in series with the two-terminal configuration to further reduce power loss within the integrated circuit and to limit the current flowing into the integrated circuit.