Safe control of a consumer

An integrated current control valve for controlling a load, wherein the integrated current control valve comprises:

• a semiconductor switch for controlling a current between a potential of an operating voltage and a port of the load;
• a comparator for comparing a voltage decrease through the semiconductor switch with a predetermined value;
• an activation device for the semiconductor switch, wherein the activation device is configured to gradually alter a control voltage of the conducting semiconductor switch to a non-conducting state, and to generate a warning signal if the comparator does not determine the presence of a sufficient voltage;
• and
• a series resistor in the current flow of the load.

A method for controlling a load, the method comprising:

• providing a load that has two ports, wherein the first port is connected to a first potential of an operating voltage through a first current control valve, and the second port is connected to a second potential of the operating voltage through a second current control valve, and wherein a resistor is in series with the load
• gradually opening the first current control valve when the second current control valve is actuated;
• and
• determining the presence of a short circuit between the first port and the first potential if an input voltage through the first current control valve does not increase.