Method for identifying a short-line fault or a line interruption for a switched inductive load

A method for identifying a short-line fault or a line interruption in a circuit configuration, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a supply voltage source having high and low potentials;
• providing a series circuit connected between the high and low potentials of the supply voltage source, the series circuit having an inductive load, a first controllable switching element with a control connection and a second controllable switching element;
• providing the inductive load with a first connection connected to the high potential of the supply voltage source through the first switching element and a second connection connected to the low potential of the supply voltage source through the second switching element;
• providing a connecting point between the inductive load and the first switching element;
• providing at least one zener element connected between the connecting point and the high or low potential of the supply voltage source or the control connection of the first switching element, permitting magnetic energy stored in the inductive load to be reduced by the zener element becoming conductive in the event of an interruption of a flow of current through the inductive load due to the first controllable switching element being switched off;
• and
• after the first switching element has been switched off, ascertaining a voltage at the connecting point and comparing a duration of a voltage pulse occurring to a first prescribed duration and, if the duration is shorter than the first prescribed duration, inferring a line interruption or a short, and inferring a line interruption only if no overcurrent condition has occurred.