Switching device and method for protecting an electrical load against overcurrent

A switching device for protecting an electrical load against overcurrent, comprising:

• a load current input for connection to a load current line from a current source and a load current output for connection to a load current line to the electrical load;
• a load current path for conducting a current from said load current input to said load current output;
• a semiconductor switch connected in said load current path, said semiconductor switch being configured to permit the current through said load current path when said semiconductor switch is switched on and to block the current through the load current path when said semiconductor switch is switched off;
• a control circuit configured to switch said semiconductor switch on or off in response to a switching signal;
• a current measuring arrangement for recording the current through said load current path;
• a controller configured to:
• execute an individual function or a combination of two or more functions of at least two predefined functions depending on an operating mode of the electrical load, the functions comparing at least one of a current intensity or a temporal current profile of the current through said load current path with defined threshold values;
• and
• drive said control circuit using a switching signal in dependence on one or more results of the one or more executed functions to switch off said semiconductor switch.