Configuration for identifying a switch position of a power switch

A microprocessor-controlled appliance, comprising:

• a power switch having given switch positions and including a first switch and a second switch, said first switch being connected in series to said second switch;
• said first switch and said second switch selectively opening and closing only jointly;
• a sensor operatively connected to said microprocessor and having a first input, a second input, and an output;
• said second input of said sensor to be connected to a first conductor selected from the group consisting of a first live conductor, a second live conductor, and a neutral conductor;
• said second switch having a first contact and a second contact, said first contact to be connected to a second conductor selected from the group consisting of the first live conductor, the second live conductor, and the neutral conductor;
• said second contact of said second switch being connected to said first input of said sensor for passing a measurement current to said first input of said sensor when a voltage is applied and said power switch is switched on;
• and
• a microprocessor operatively connected to said sensor, said output of said sensor transmitting an output signal corresponding to one of the switch positions of said power switch to said microprocessor.

A microprocessor-controlled franking machine, comprising:

• a power switch having given switch positions and including a first switch and a second switch, said first switch being connected in series to said second switch;
• said first switch and said second switch selectively opening and closing only jointly;
• a sensor operatively connected to said microprocessor and having a first input, a second input, and an output;
• said second input of said sensor to be connected to a first conductor selected from the group consisting of a first live conductor, a second live conductor, and a neutral conductor;
• said second switch having a first contact and a second contact, said first contact to be connected to a second conductor selected from the group consisting of the first live conductor, the second live conductor, and the neutral conductor;
• said second contact of said second switch being connected to said first input of said sensor for passing a measurement current to said first input of said sensor when a voltage is applied and said power switch is switched on;
• a microprocessor operatively connected to said sensor, said output of said sensor transmitting an output signal corresponding to one of the switch positions of said power switch to said microprocessor;
• and
• a franking machine meter operatively connected to said microprocessor.