Patent ID: 7187091

Claim:
Safety switching module for safely switching-off an electrical load, comprising: a first and a second switching control device; a first and a second switching element both being series-connected with each other and forming a first current path for supplying the load, whereby the first switching element can be controlled by the first switching control device and the second switching element can be controlled by the second switching control device; an evaluation and control device for testing the switching-off ability of at least one switching element, and a third and a fourth switching element which are connected to each other in series, are connected in parallel to the series connection consisting of said first and second switching elements to form a second current path for supplying the load collectively with the first current path during normal operation, the third switching element being controlled by the first switching control device and the fourth switching element being controlled by the second switching control device; wherein said evaluation and control device carries out the test of the switching elements alternating in one of both current paths so that the other of both current paths supplies the load.