Patent ID: 8823422

Claim:
A switching circuit comprising: a plurality of stages each comprising: an electronic switch having a switchable path controllable by means of a control terminal, wherein the switchable paths of the electronic switches are connected in series in between electric potentials to be switched; an energy storage which is charged while the respective electronic switch is in an opened state with a current branched off from the switchable path within the stage and caused by a voltage drop across the opened switchable path; and a driver sub-circuit for switching the electronic switch by means of providing the control terminal of the electronic switch with energy stored in the energy storage for closing the switchable path of the electronic switch and maintaining the closed state at least temporarily, wherein each stage further comprises a photo element for initiating a switching of the electronic switch, wherein each stage further comprises at least one photovoltaic element for additionally charging the energy storage, wherein the photo element and the at least one photovoltaic element are configured for receiving light from a light source configured for initiating the switching of the electronic switches.