Control device for a switching device with separate start-up and holding coils

A switching device, comprising:

• a contact module including a holding coil and a separate start-up coil;
• and
• a control device comprising:
• a rectifier configured to generate a rectified output voltage from an alternating voltage;
• a direct voltage converter configured to receive the rectified output voltage and to generate therefrom a specified direct voltage;
• a direct voltage supply unit, configured to receive the specified direct voltage and to generate a first direct voltage and a second direct voltage, wherein the first direct voltage and the second direct voltage are of different magnitudes;
• and
• control electronics configured to receive the second direct voltage and to generate control signals for a first switching element and for a second switching element;
• wherein the holding coil is connected to the first switching element and configured to receive the first direct voltage generated by the direct voltage supply unit,
• wherein the start-up coil is connected to the second switching element and configured to receive the rectified output voltage generated by the rectifier, and
• wherein the control electronics of the control device include a microprocessor or microcontroller configured by a program stored in a memory to provide, during a start-up process of the contact module, the second switching element with a pulse width modulated voltage causing a resulting current in the start-up coil, and to provide, during a holding process of the contact mod We, the first switching element with a voltage causing a constant direct current to flow in the holding coil.