Abstract: In an electronic switching system, there is provided an arrangement which, without doubling the computers of the control units, enables the switching elements of the system to be controlled without interruption in the event of a failure affecting their control. To this end, the system comprises n control units each with an independent store (memory). The program corresponding to two functions i.e. to the control of two groups of switching elements is written in the independent store of each unit. Exchange memories, interconnecting the independent stores in twos, enable the momentary data necessary for monitoring of the group of switching elements in charge of the control unit under failure to be transferred from this unit to the other unit holding, in its independent store, the program relating to the same group.