Patent ID: 6880092

Claim:
In combination with a microprocessor-controlled appliance operating with a switch-off delay, a configuration for identifying a switch position, comprising: a power switch having given switch positions and including a first switch and a second switch, said first switch being connected in series with said second switch; said first switch and said second switch selectively opening and closing only jointly; a sensor having a first input, a second input, and an output; said second input of said sensor to be connected to a first conductor selected from the group consisting of a first live conductor, a second live conductor, and a neutral conductor; said second switch having a first contact and a second contact, said first contact to be connected to a second conductor selected from the group consisting of the first live conductor, the second live conductor, and the neutral conductor; said second contact of said second switch being connected to said first input of said sensor for passing a measurement current to said first input of said sensor when a voltage is applied and said power switch is switched on; and a microprocessor operatively connected to said sensor, said output of said sensor transmitting an output signal corresponding to one of the given switch positions of said power switch to said microprocessor.