Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for the dimmable operation of a fluorescent lamp at the operating frequency (f1), having an apparatus for switching the operating frequency (f1) on and off at a dimming frequency (f2), the pulse width (W2) of the dimming frequency (f2) being variable, and where f2<f1, it is provided that the fluorescent lamp current is simultaneously adjustable by the apparatus by the supply voltage being switched on and off at a switching frequency (f3) with a variable pulse width (W3), where f3>f1.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement having a semiconductor switch for the switching of a load, in particular of a setting member in manual or automatic control devices, as a function of a switch signal which is fed, a device for disconnect in the event of a short-circuit being adapted to be controlled by a current sensor over a filter, the device for the disconnecting can furthermore be actuated via a logic circuit by the switch signal and by an output signal of a detector for an overvoltage at the semiconductor switch in such a manner that disconnect takes place when an overvoltage is present and the switch signal assumes a level intended for connection.

Abstract: A modular switching system includes a transistor operative in a switching mode for applying current to a load. Adaptation of the system to accommodate different values of load is attained by coupling an input drive ,signal to a base terminal of the transistor via a variable gain amplifier wherein the gain is established by a load-adaption signal to meet the requisite base current drive signal for the load. Plural emitter terminals of the transistor connected to separate branches of a monitoring circuit, each branch having its own threshold detector, for monitoring of minimum and maximum values of load current.

Abstract: A switching system includes a module having at least one semiconductor switch for switching current to a load, in particular, a setting member in an automotive control or automatic control device. A short-circuit current monitoring circuit and an idle current monitoring circuit are provided for each semiconductor switch. Each switch may constructed as a multiple-emitter transistor with separate emitter terminals being connected to the respective monitoring circuits whereby load current in the multiple-emitter transistor can be monitored. The short-circuit monitoring circuit outputs a signal indicating excessively large load current in the transistor. The idle monitoring circuit outputs a signal indicating excessively small load current in the transistor.