Patent ID: 7781922

Claim:
A facility for an automatic recognition and differentiation of a single-channel or dual-channel electronic sensor connected to a dual-channel safety combination with two connecting line pairs, comprising: a first connecting line pair for a single-channel operation; a second connecting line pair, wherein the first and a second connecting line pairs are provided for a dual-channel operation of the safety combination; and an ohmic resistance arranged in at least a first connecting line of the second connecting line pair and a transistor electrically connected by its emitter or collector to a first side of the ohmic resistance and by its base to a second side of the ohmic resistance such that, during a current flow through the dual-channel electronic sensor connected to both connecting line pairs, a voltage drop at the ohmic resistance switches the transistor to generate an output signal at the collector or emitter of the transistor, indicating a connection of the dual-channel electronic sensor, wherein the facility further comprises a switch connecting or separating a first and second connecting line of the two connecting line pairs electrically, wherein the switch is switched by the output signal such that, when a dual-channel electronic sensor is connected, an otherwise existing electrical connection between both connecting line pairs is separated.