Integrated circuit having a contact-making point for selecting an operating mode of the integrated circuit

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• a switching element having a control input;
• a conact-making point for making external contact;
• a voltage generator having an output connected via said switching element to said contact-making point and said voltage generator generating a potential exceeding a first limit value in a first direction;
• a first digital control device having an input connected to said contact-making point and an output for outputting a digital control signal received by said control input of said switching element;
• a second digital control device having an input connected to said contact-making point and an output for outputting a digital operating mode signal;
• said first digital control device only switching on said switching element via the digital control signal and said second digital control device outputting the digital operating mode signal with a first potential level, if a given potential of said contact-making point exceeds the first limit value in the first direction;
• and
• said first digital control device turning off said switching element via the digital control signal and said second control device outputting the digital operating mode signal with a second potential level, if the potential of the contact-making point exceeds a second limit value in a second direction.