Abstract: A circuit arrangement for switching an electrical load comprising an electrical switching element with a control input and an output; a control unit connected to the control input to drive the electrical switching element, in a first switching state, to generate a first output signal forming a switch-on signal for the load and, in a second switching state, to generate a second output signal, smaller than the first output signal, forming a switch-off signal for the electrical load; a safety output connected electrically to the electrical switching element output and to which the electrical load is connected; a decoupling apparatus arranged between the electrical switching element output and the safety output; a first output signal detecting apparatus connected to the electrical switching element output; and a second output signal detecting apparatus arranged in a circuit path between the decoupling apparatus and the safety output.