Circuit arrangement for switching an electrical load and method for checking a status of a safety output of a circuit arrangement

A circuit arrangement for switching an electrical load, the circuit arrangement comprising:

• an electrical switching element with a control input and an output;
• a control unit connected to the control input of the electrical switching element to switch an output signal for the electrical load at the output of the electrical switching element from a switch-on state to a switch-off state and from the switch-off state to the switch-on state during a test mode for testing a switching capability of the electrical switching element, wherein a duration of the switch-off state is selected such that operation of the electrical load is not influenced during the test mode, the output signal being smaller in the switch-off state than in the switch-on state;
• a safety output connected electrically to the output of the electrical switching element and to which the electrical load is connected;
• a decoupling apparatus arranged between the output of the electrical switching element and the safety output;
• a first output signal detecting apparatus connected to the output of the electrical switching element to detect the output signal of the electrical switching element in front of the decoupling apparatus;
• and
• a second output signal detecting apparatus arranged in a circuit path between the decoupling apparatus and the safety output to detect the output signal of the electrical switching element behind the decoupling apparatus, the circuit arrangement being configured to compare the output signals of the electrical switching element in front of and behind the decoupling apparatus to detect electrical shorts.