Abstract: In a method for triggering a DC motor through an integrated H-bridge circuit by using a control circuit and an apparatus for carrying out the method, a high-side transistor switch or a low-side transistor switch associated with each motor terminal, or both of the transistor switches, are each controlled or regulated to a conductive state by a respective guard circuit, if and as long as a potential at a motor terminal is or falls below a predetermined value. Each guard circuit has a biased transistor with a conductive state in which the associated transistor switches are made conducting through a current mirror.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling a load and for recognizing an interruption in a line to the load includes a measuring resistance connected in series with the load, a device for varying a resistance value of the measuring resistance as a function of a current passing through the load, and a diagnostic device for generating a diagnosis signal if a voltage drop, producible across the measuring resistance by a load current drops below a threshold value.