public void setStatus(Boolean newStatus) throws IOException {
    if (status==newStatus) return;
    System.out.println("Switching "+channel+" to: "+(newStatus?"ON":"OFF"));
    switch (channel) {
      case 'A' : switch_a(newStatus); break;
      case 'B' : switch_b(newStatus); break;
    }
    status=newStatus;
  }