Manually resettable switch apparatus

A manually resettable switch apparatus, which is controllable into a first or a second operating state, comprising:

• a current path having an input terminal to which an input voltage can be applied, and an output terminal,
• a manually pluggable relay having a coil, and a switching element which is connected in the current path when the relay is in a plugged state,
• a control and evaluation device designed to detect defective operation of the switch apparatus and, in response thereto, to set the switch apparatus into the second operating state, and
• a detection device electrically connected to the control and evaluation device and designed to signal to the control and evaluation device whether the relay is plugged in or unplugged, wherein the control and evaluation device is further designed:
• i) to recognize whether the relay has been unplugged after a detected defective operation and has been plugged in again after expiration of a predetermined time, and
• ii) after recognizing that the relay has been unplugged after a detected defective operation and has been plugged in again after expiration of a predetermined time, to set the switch apparatus into the first operating state.