Control of illumination devices

A switch for generating short-term supply-line interruptions during switching-on with contact elements and an actuating element for opening and closing electrical contacts between the contact elements, wherein a first contact element is mounted elastically and, when a contact is closed via the elastically mounted first contact element, can be deflected elastically in such a way that the contact, after initial closing, is opened again by the elastic deflection, wherein the actuating element can move a movable second contact element, the second contact element can deflect the elastically mounted first contact element, and the elastically mounted first contact element, in the state in which it is not elastically deflected, makes contact with a third contact element, from which it can be moved away during the elastic deflection.