Method and device for controlling a semiconductor switch

A method for controlling an electronic semiconductor switch connected in a load circuit, the semiconductor switch being connected between an input terminal routed to a source and an output terminal of the load circuit, the output terminal being routed to a load, the method comprising:

• connecting a control circuit to a supply voltage and having a bridge circuit connected on a primary side to a transformer and to the supply voltage;
• connecting a load circuit to the transformer on a secondary side and having a driver circuit for the semiconductor switch;
• routing a threshold value signal to the bridge circuit on the control side;
• generating, via the bridge circuit, a primary signal that is transmitted as a secondary signal to the load circuit that is galvanically isolated from the control circuit;
• providing the secondary signal to the driver circuit, which generates a drive signal for the semiconductor switch, and
• connecting a varistor in parallel to the semiconductor switch as overvoltage protection.