Switch control device, switching device, switching system, power switch control method and power switch method

Abstract

A switch control device has power connections (11L, 11N) for the supply of energy, optionally a button (17), an extension connection (14), a signal output (12), and a control circuit (15) to which the button (17), the extension connection (14) and the signal output (12) are connected, wherein the control circuit (15) is designed to generate, according to the actuation of the button (17) and according to a signal received from the extension connection (14) at the signal output (12), a switch control signal which serves to control a switch that can be actuated electromechanically or electronically.

Description

[0001] Switching control device, switching device, switching system, power switching control method and power switching method

[0002] The invention relates to a switching control device, a switching device, a switching system, a power switching control method and a power switching method.

[0003] In the following, the power to be switched is considered to be AC ​​mains voltage, which can, for example, have a 230 V rms value at 50 Hz or a 110 V rms value at 60 Hz. This can involve power switching in building installations, for example, for switching lighting, motors for blinds, heating, and the like. However, other power levels, possibly even DC voltage, can also be considered as electrical power to be switched.

[0004] Conventional switching systems, such as those for room lighting, have mechanical switches that can be designed and connected to each other in a certain way to control specific electrical devices. For room lighting, two two-way switches can be connected to form a two-way circuit, or several cross-switches can be connected to form a cross-switch to control the lighting from multiple locations. The lighting can comprise one or more light sources that are controlled simultaneously.

[0005] Fig. 5 shows a conventional cross connection. Lighting 1 is assumed to be the electrical load that is operated from mains AC voltage. The mains AC voltage is applied between a neutral conductor N and a phase line L and can, for example, be the normal supply voltage of 230 V rms at 50 Hz. The electrical load 1 can be connected directly to the neutral conductor N via a power line 2. The switching structure for switching the power for the load 1 can be looped into the other line 3a, 3b. The switching structure shown here is a cross connection with a cross switch 42 between two changeover switches 41, 43. Each of the switches 41, 42, 43 independently switches the supply situation of the load 1 from off to on or from on to off when switching from one switching position to the other.

[0006] The disadvantage of such conventional switching systems is that they are not accessible to automatic or electronic control measures, since there are neither control connections for this nor are the mechanics designed for this purpose.

[0007] It is also known to individually modify the individual mechanical switches so that they can also be controlled electrically or electronically while maintaining the same functionality. The disadvantage of this approach is that simple mechanical switches must be replaced by complex, advanced switching devices if the respective functionalities are to be maintained. This is both expensive and leads to increased energy consumption, since such electrically or electronically switchable switches each require their own energy consumption for their own control. This energy consumption, while relatively low, is continuous.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a switching control device, a switching device, a switching system, a power switching control method and a power switching method which allow the inexpensive and energy-saving conversion of conventional switching systems.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. A switching control device has power connections for its own internal power supply. It can have a push button, an extension connection, a signal output, and a control circuit to which the optionally present push button, the extension connection, and the signal output are connected. The control circuit is designed to generate a switching control signal at the signal output in accordance with the actuation of the optionally present push button and in accordance with a signal received from the extension connection. This switching control signal serves to control an electromechanically or electronically actuated switch.

[0010] In the switching control device, a signal received from an extension connection is interpreted as a control signal, evaluated, and converted into a corresponding switching control signal. However, the received signal can be voltage values, voltage signals, or voltage waveforms generated by conventional switching devices, switches, and switching systems. They can be at supply voltage levels. The conventional switching devices are then used similarly to signal generators, preferably without themselves switching power to consumers. The switching control device can have its own switching device, such as a switch or pushbutton, to enable switching operations. In terminology, this can be referred to as the "main unit" if it is present.

[0011] The switching control device can be designed and dimensioned for local installation. It can be designed and dimensioned for installation in surface-mounted or flush-mounted boxes.

[0012] The control circuit can be designed to switch the switching control signal between two states. In one operating mode, it can be designed to switch the switching control signal from the current state to the other of the two states when a first voltage edge is received from a button, possibly present in the control circuit, or from an extension connection, and not to switch it when a second voltage edge is received from the button or the extension connection, wherein the first voltage edge is a rising or falling voltage edge and the second voltage edge is the voltage edge opposite the first voltage edge. The edges can be those of effective value curves. The switching behavior with a conventional button can thus be simulated.

[0013] The control circuit can have its own switching device in the form of a button, the signal from which is evaluated in addition to the signals from the extension connection. The button generates voltage edges, whereby these can actually be DC voltage values ​​present internally in the circuit, or these edges can be understood as the switching on or off of AC voltage that is also present internally, i.e., rms value edges. Qualitatively, the button is used to key the switching control signal. The button generates DC or AC voltage pulses of varying length with the specified rising or falling edges. One type of edge is used to key the switching control signal, the other type is ignored.

[0014] The control circuit can be configured to switch the switching control signal between two states. In a further operating mode, it can be configured to switch the switching control signal from the current state to the other of the two states when a voltage edge is received from the extension connection. This allows the switching behavior of a conventional switch to be simulated. In this further operating mode, the signal from the internal button, if present, can be taken into account as in the previously described operating mode.

[0015] In the described operating modes, the voltage applied to the extension connection is interpreted as a signal, although it is not

[0016] Switching installations have been generated, and the voltage values ​​can be the voltage of the power supply to be switched, for example, the aforementioned AC mains voltage or the DC voltage of a DC power supply. It originates from a conventional switching system that is designed and installed as described to switch the AC mains voltage on and off, and can also have a keying function, a simple switch, a two-way switch, or a cross-switch. Depending on the desired switching of the conventional switching system, it generates voltage edges that, as described, can be the switching on or off of the AC mains voltage. The effective value edges can be considered here. These voltage edges can all be used to switch the current switching control signal.This reflects the desire to operate the conventional switches, which aims to change the current state with the respective switching operation.

[0017] Another conceivable mode is that the control circuit a priori uses each edge to toggle the current switching control signal, but if two edges occur in quick succession, ignores the second for switching. "Short" can be a time interval Δt between the consecutive edges, where Δt can be, for example, less than 500, 300, 200, or 100 ms. This corresponds to interpreting two edges in quick succession as generated by a button, of which only one of the two edges is to be used for switching, while then treating slower edge sequences as generated by a switch, each of which is used for switching. Here, too, effective value edges can be considered.

[0018] The control circuit may have a mode control for generally switching or selecting between available different operating modes, in particular between the aforementioned modes of keying or switching, or possibly automatic detection based on the edge follow-up time. Selection may occur after installation during commissioning of the device, prior to its commissioning, or later. The power terminals may be connectable to AC mains voltage, and a power supply circuit may be provided that is designed to generate an internal supply voltage from the AC mains voltage at the power terminals.

[0019] The control circuit requires its own supply voltage for the necessary internal measures, which it can obtain from its power connections. The power connections can be the conventional L and N lines of the AC mains. The power supply circuit can generate the required internal supply voltage from this. For example, it can convert 230 V 50 Hz into a DC voltage of 5 V, which is then used internally. In this respect, it should be noted that the power connections of the switching control device do not necessarily serve to switch power themselves. The switching control device itself does not necessarily have to switch power, but can merely generate the switching control signal. The actual power switching can, if necessary, take place elsewhere in accordance with the switching control signal generated and output by the switching control device.

[0020] If the switching control device is already designed for signal evaluation to generate the switching control signal, it is advantageous to provide additional input options. These can be created through addressable or non-addressable access points. A wireless interface, for example, can allow local remote control or the integration of a motion detector. Such signal inputs can be made directly without addressing. However, addressed access may also be desirable, which enables network integration into a network of many devices with different addresses. A wide variety of options are conceivable here. One possibility is for the switching control device to be a KNX device and thus be embedded in a KNX structure, enabling it to send or receive addressed messages within this system.More generally, another data network connection is also conceivable, ultimately, for example, the internet, perhaps based on IoT aspects and the like. The switching control device can also have a wireless network interface for receiving wirelessly transmitted addressed signals, such as WiFi or similar, whose output is connected to the control circuit. The network interface can be a fieldbus interface or an IP interface. This creates additional access to the control circuit, enabling further switching and control interventions.

[0021] In general, the control circuit can be a programmable circuit and include relevant components (RAM, ROM, bus, CPU, etc.). Where necessary, analog-to-digital converters can be provided on the input side and digital-to-analog converters on the output side.

[0022] The control circuit may be designed to include a signal received from the wireless interface or the network interface in the generation of the switching control signal, preferably selectable according to one of the available modes or as a switch-on command or as a switch-off command.

[0023] The control circuit may comprise a microprocessor or an ASIC, which may be designed to evaluate the switching activities of a mechanical circuit connected to the extension connection in an analog or digital manner and use them to generate the switching control signal. A / D and D / A converters may be provided.

[0024] A switching device has a switching control device as described, a power output and a power switch between one of the power terminals and the power output, which is configured to switch in accordance with the switching control signal.

[0025] Such a switching device is therefore capable of switching power directly. It can also be designed for on-site installation, particularly for mounting in a flush-mounted box, a surface-mounted box, or similar. Dimensioning can be carried out according to a standard. The switching device and, if applicable, the switching control device can also be designed for installation in a control cabinet, for example, as a DIN rail device. The design also includes consideration of thermal aspects and requirements.

[0026] The power switch may comprise a power semiconductor, in particular a FET or an IGBT, and / or an electromechanical switch, in particular a relay, and optionally a driver circuit required for this purpose.

[0027] A switching system has a conventional push button or a cross-connection with at least one changeover switch and optionally one or more cross-connections, and a switching device as described above, wherein the conventional push button or the cross-connection is connected to the extension connection of the switching control device.

[0028] In a power switching control method, the switching activities of a conventional mechanical switching structure are evaluated analogously or digitally and used to generate a switching control signal for controlling an electromechanically or electronically switchable switch.

[0029] The analog or digital evaluation can be carried out with reference to voltage levels of a power supply and / or its changes, e.g. its edges, which the mechanical circuit generates, wherein the mechanical circuit generates the voltage levels by keying and / or switching and / or switching and / or cross-switching.

[0030] In a power switching method, a switching control signal is generated using a power switching control method as described, and a power switch is controlled with it. Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a design and possible installation of a switching control device and a switching device,

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a design of a switching control device,

[0033] Fig. 3 the type of signal generation,

[0034] Fig. 4 a possible installation, and

[0035] Fig. 5 a conventional cross connection.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a switching device 10 with a switching control device 19, as they can be designed and installed on their own. The switching control device 19 is outlined by the dashed rectangle. It is shown installed in a switching device 10, which in turn is installed to control a load 1, such as lighting. The electrical load 1 can be connected directly to the neutral conductor N via line 2. The switching device 10 is looped into the other supply line 3, so that the line 3 is split into two parts 3a between the switching device 10 and load 1 and line part 3b between the switching device 10 and the phase conductor L of the power supply. The neutral conductor N can be connected to the switching device via a stub line 5. In principle, however, it is also conceivable, contrary to what is shown in Fig. 1, to loop the switching device 10 into the line 2 between the load 1 and the neutral conductor N. In this case, it may be necessary.connect the stub line 5 to the phase conductor L.

[0037] The switching device 10 has at least one power switch 18, with which the electrical power on the line 3 can be switched on or off. Furthermore, the switching device has a switching control device 19. The switching device 10 can further have any necessary driver circuits to generate a signal suitable for controlling the power switch 18 in accordance with the switching control signal from the switching control device 19. Fig. 1 graphically indicates an electromechanical power switch 18, for example a relay. This is one possible embodiment. However, the power switch 18 can also have one or more semiconductor power switches, such as a field-effect transistor (FET) or an IGBT.

[0038] As already mentioned, the switching device 10, as shown schematically in Fig. 1, can be designed for installation in a standardized installation chamber. It can be designed, together with the switching control device, for installation in a flush-mounted box or a surface-mounted box, or in a control cabinet, for example, as a DIN rail device.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows the switching device 10 installed with the switching control device 19. However, it is also conceivable to provide the switching control device 19 separately from the switching device 10. The switching device 10 would then only have the power switch 18, possibly a driver circuit, and an input for receiving the switching control signal 12 from an external switching control device 19. In addition, the switching device would then have the connections for looping it into one of the supply lines 2, 3 of the load 1.

[0040] 11 L and 11 N in Fig. 1 are connections at least for the internal power supply of the switching device 10 and the switching control device 19, respectively. They can be connected to the power-carrying lines of the load 1 and thus receive, for example, mains AC voltage. Connection 11 N is shown connected to the neutral conductor N via stub line 5. Connection 11 L is shown connected to the phase conductor L via line 3b. A power supply circuit is provided internally in the switching device 10 and the switching control device 19, which generates a voltage required for internal processing from the power received at the inputs 11 L and 11 N. This can be a rectification and a level adjustment, for example to values ​​below 30 or 15 or 10 V. The power connections 11 L and 11 N of the switching device 10 shown in Fig. 1 can be connected through to the switching control device 19 ormay also be provided on the switching control device 19. The power supply circuit may be part of the switching control device 19.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the switching control device 19, as it can be installed on its own or incorporated into the switching device 10. Reference numerals 11L and 11N indicate connections to an external power supply, which can be connected to an internal power supply circuit (not shown). As already mentioned, the power supply circuit generates the internal potentials required to supply the internal components.

[0042] The switching control device 19, shown on the right, has various inputs and, on the left, an output 12 for the switching control signal. It has an internal control circuit 15. This can be more or less complex. It can be a microcomputer with relevant components such as RAM, ROM, CPU, bus, and the like. It can also be an ASIC. A / D and D / A converters can be provided. It receives power from the power supply circuit (not shown).

[0043] The switching control device 19 has at least one extension port 14 as its input. It is designed to be connected to a power line of a conventional switching structure, such as that shown in Fig. 5. The potentials received at this extension port 14 are interpreted as signals, evaluated, and used to generate the switching control signal at the output 12. Details of this are described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0044] A manually operable element 17, such as a pushbutton, pulse generator, or switch, can be provided as the input of the switching control device. The potentials or signals generated by it are fed to the control circuit 15 and also incorporated into the generation of the switching control signal at output 12. If Fig. 2 shows inputs of the switching control device 19 and this is incorporated into the switching device 10, the inputs of the switching control device 19 are operated by corresponding inputs or components of the switching device 10 to which they are connected.

[0045] The switching control device 19 can have various additional inputs. For example, it can have a local wireless connection 16, for example, for a remote control or the like. It can have a wireless receiver structure (not shown in detail), such as an antenna, for receiving wireless signals, such as radio signals for control purposes. The arrangement and overall design, also with regard to the possible or expected installation situation, is such that wireless signals can be received with sufficient strength.

[0046] The switching control device 19 can also have a network port 22 that can be addressed. This can be an IP interface, an IoT interface, or a KMX-capable interface. Signals that can be incorporated into the generation of the switching control signal 12 can also be received via this input.

[0047] In addition, a local wired connection 23 can be provided. If necessary, wired local components, such as a motion detector or the like, can be connected to it. Signals from this input are also fed to the control circuit 15 and taken into account by it when generating the switching control signal at output 12.

[0048] Fig. 3 schematically shows how a switching control signal 12 can be generated in the switching control device 19. The left-hand side schematically shows the situation in which a switching device 10 is used as described, with which it also simulates the switching activities of a conventional switching system. The conventional switching system has, shown above the switching device 10, a cross circuit consisting of a cross switch and a changeover switch, as shown in Fig. 5 with reference numerals 42 and 41. This conventional switching structure is connected with its one power output to the extension connection 14.

[0049] The switching device 10 shown itself has a button corresponding to 17 in Fig. 2, which is not shown in Fig. 3, however. 18 is the power switch for controlling the power supply to the load 1. The power switch 18 is switched in accordance with the switching control signal 12 generated in the switching device 10. Lines 41, 42 and 17 in Fig. 3 show assumed switching or keying operations of the switches 41 and 42 in Figs. 3 and 4 and of the button 17 in Figs. 1 and 3. Lines 31 and 32 show potential curves, in particular exemplary AC voltage rms value curves, as can arise from the conventional switching structure consisting of switches 41 and 42 at their outputs in Fig. 3 bottom right.

[0050] To the extent that this description refers to edges or voltage edges, in particular those at the extension connection 14 and / or those from the button 17, these can be the edges of RMS value curves for AC voltage, such as those shown in lines 31 and 32 in Fig. 3, thus ultimately indicating the switching on or off of the power. If desired, for example with at least partial analog signal evaluation, such edges can actually be generated from the real AC voltage curves, for example by rectifying and then low-pass filtering at the extension connection 14. With digital signal evaluation, an RMS value edge can be detected by suitable evaluation algorithms.

[0051] In the overall wiring pattern, a wiring arrangement is preferable such that the electrical load 1 is connected to the neutral conductor N, that the switching device 10 is connected to the other terminal of the load 1, and that the conventional switching structure is connected between the extension terminal 14 of the switching device 10 and the phase conductor L. For the changeover switch 41, six switching operations corresponding to three on and off cycles are shown in line 41 in Fig. 3. For example, at the bottom left output of the changeover switch, this creates an effective value curve, as shown in line 31.

[0052] For the cross-switch 42, four switching operations are shown, corresponding to two on-off cycles. These each lead to a reversal of the initial effective value state. This results in the effective value pattern shown in line 32 at the bottom right output of the cross-switch 42. For the pushbutton (not shown) assumed in the switching device 10, five keying operations are assumed as shown in line 17. With conventional pushbuttons, a pulse is ultimately generated that serves to invert the current switching state. This can be expressed by considering only one edge of the keying pulse, for example the rising edge, for switching the switching state, while ignoring the other edge, the falling edge in Fig. 3.

[0053] Accordingly, the five keyings according to line 17 each lead to a reversal of the currently applied effective value state and an overall desired power supply sequence is created, as shown by line 12 and as can be caused by a correspondingly designed switching control signal 12 if a power switch is controlled according to its specifications.

[0054] The effective value curve according to line 32 is applied to the extension connection 14 of the switching control device 19 or to the corresponding input of the switching device 10. Through suitable signal shaping, it is converted into processable signals of suitable levels. These are then processed in the control circuit 15. The assumed button 17 can generate suitable signals itself, or its output signals are also converted to processable levels. The control circuit 15 then ultimately receives signals according to lines 32 and 17 in Fig. 3 and generates the switching control signal 12 according to them. The signal generated by the extension connection 14 inverts the switching control signal from on to off or off to on with each of its edges, while the signal received from the button 17 only effects the polarity reversal with one edge at a time, while the other edge is ignored.

[0055] In this way, the switching control device 19, in particular with the control circuit 15, simulates the switching behavior of the conventional switches 41 and 42, as can be read at the extension connection 14, and also includes its own keying in the generation of the switching control signal.

[0056] If the evaluation of the edge-following time intervals Δt is desired, a measuring device can be provided for this purpose. The measurement result can then be compared with a threshold value, such as the aforementioned values ​​of 500, 300, 200, or 100 ms. If it is smaller than the threshold value, one of the edges, preferably the second edge, can be masked out for keying, i.e., ignored, and otherwise used. RMS edges can also be considered here.

[0057] Fig. 4 schematically shows a conceivable installation situation. It is assumed that the switching device 10 is designed without its own button or switch and is built so small that it can be installed in a conventional installation niche, for example in a standardized flush-mounted box 44, under a conventional switch 42, 43 with operating element 45 and housing 48. The circuit breaker 18 can then be a semiconductor switch, for example. The outer contour of the housed switching device 10 in plan view would be visible in Fig. 4 from right to left and can be adapted to the inner contour of the box 44. Its height, taken from left to right in Figure 4, can be on average less than 20 or 15 mm. The connection 47 between the conventional switch 42, 43 and the switching device 10, which is also connected to the extension connection 14 of the switching device 10, is shown schematically.46 represents the wires running in the box 44 and typically in conduits (not shown) in the wall 47, which are used to connect to the other installation components. 16 symbolizes the wireless receiver structure, which, if necessary, is installed sufficiently close to the surface to receive control signals.

[0058] With this approach and these devices, it is achieved that in conventional switching structures, it is sufficient to replace a single conventional circuit with an "intelligent" circuit with the switching control device 10 as described, while the other switches 41, 42 can remain conventional. If the installation according to Figure 4 is possible, all conventional switching structures can be retained. This, in turn, has the effect that retrofitting is relatively inexpensive because only some, but not all, conventional switches need to be replaced. It also has the effect that only one of the new switches or only one controller performs continuous control work, so that accordingly only this retrofitted switch or controller continuously consumes energy, and therefore the overall energy consumption is not unnecessarily increased.

[0059] In general, as already mentioned, the control circuit 15 can receive additional signals in addition to the input from the conventional switching structure at the extension connection 14 and generate the switching control signal 12 according to these signals. For example, it can receive signals from multiple buttons. It can include prioritizing certain input signals over others.

[0060] The manner in which the voltage curve, particularly the effective value curve, is evaluated at the extension connection 14 and incorporated into the generation of the switching control signal 12 can be adjustable. This adjustment can be made, for example, during initial commissioning or commissioning of the switching device. It is also conceivable for a key signal to be applied to the extension connection 14, which is intended to cause the switching device to switch over with only one of its edges. In this case, one of the edges of the effective value curve at the extension connection 14 is to be considered for switching the switching control signal 12, while the other is to be ignored.

[0061] As mentioned, the manner in which the potential waveforms at the extension connection 14 are to be incorporated into the generation of the switching control signal depends on the nature of the conventional switching structures connected to the extension connection 14. A setting or selection device (not shown) may be provided that allows for appropriate settings. For example, a selection option may be provided such that, corresponding to a switch, each edge of the effective value waveform at the extension connection 14 causes a reversal of the switching control signal, or such that, corresponding to a push-button, only one of the two possible edges, such as the rising one, causes a reversal, while the other is ignored.

[0062] The features described in this description and the claims or illustrated in an illustration are to be considered as combinable with each other, even if their combination is not expressly described, as long as the combination is technically possible. Features described in a particular context, embodiment, figure, or claim are also to be considered as separable from that claim, context, embodiment, or figure and as combinable with any other figure, claim, embodiment, or context, as long as this is technically possible. Embodiments and figures are not to be understood as necessarily exclusive of each other.Descriptions of a method or a process or a process step or a process step are also to be understood as a description of devices and / or possibly program instructions of executable code on a data carrier that are suitable for implementing the method or the process or the process step or the process step, and vice versa.

[0063] load

[0064] Supply line, 3a, 3b Supply line

[0065] Power network 0 Switching device 1 L, 11 N Power connections 2 Power control signal 3 Power output 4 Extension connection 5 Control circuit 6 Local connection 7 Button 9 Switch control device 2 Network connection 3 Local connection wired1 , 32 Effective value curves 1 , 43 Changeover switch 2 Cross switch 4 Flush-mounted box 5 Control element 6 Cable 7 Connection 8 Housing

Claims

Claims: Switching control device (19) comprising power connections (11L, 11N) for power supply, an auxiliary terminal (14), a signal output (12), and a control circuit (15) to which the auxiliary terminal (14) and the signal output (12) are connected, wherein the control circuit (15) is designed to generate a switching control signal at the signal output (12) according to a signal received from the auxiliary terminal (14), which serves to control an electromechanically or electronically actuated switch. Switching control device (19) according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit (15) is designed to switch the switching control signal between two states, wherein it is particularly designed to switch the switching control signal from the current to the other of the two states in a first operating mode when a voltage edge is received from the auxiliary terminal (14).Switching control device (19) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit (15) is designed to switch the switching control signal between two states, wherein it is particularly designed to switch the switching control signal from the current to the other of the two states in a second operating mode when a first voltage edge is received from the auxiliary terminal (14), and not to switch it when a first voltage edge is received from the auxiliary terminal. A switching control device (19) according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a push button (17) connected to the control circuit (15), which is designed to switch the switching control signal between the two states, and in particular designed to switch the switching control signal from the current state to the other of the two states when a first voltage edge is received from the push button (17), and not to switch it when a second voltage edge is received from the push button (17), wherein the first voltage edge is a rising or falling voltage edge and the second voltage edge is the voltage edge opposite to the first voltage edge.Switching control device (19) according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit (15) has a mode control for setting the first operating mode or the second operating mode. Switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power terminals (11L, 11N) are connectable to AC mains voltage (L, N), and which has a power supply circuit designed to generate an internal supply voltage (11L, 11N) from the AC mains voltage at the power terminals. Switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, with a wireless interface (16) for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals, the output of which is connected to the control circuit (15). A switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a network interface (16) for receiving data signals, wherein the output of the network interface (16) is connected to the control circuit (15), wherein the wireless interface according to claim 5 can be the network interface and wherein the network interface can be a fieldbus interface or an IP interface. A switching control device (19) according to claims 5 and 7 or 8, wherein the control circuit (15) is configured to incorporate a signal received from the wireless interface (16) or the network interface (16), preferably selectably according to the first operating mode or according to the second operating mode, or as a switch-on command or as a switch-off command, into the generation of the switching control signal.Switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary terminal (14) is designed for connecting a power terminal of a mechanical circuit, in particular a switch, a push button, a changeover switch, a cross switch, or a cross-circuit. Switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit (15) comprises a microprocessor or an ASIC, which may be designed to evaluate the switching activities of a mechanical circuit connected to the auxiliary terminal (14) analogously or digitally and to use them for generating the switching control signal. Switching control device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a measuring device for measuring the time interval (At) between a first and a directly following second voltage edge. a comparison device for comparing the time interval (At) with a threshold value, and a suppression device for suppressing the first or second edge of the keying change of the switching control signal when the time interval (At) is less than the threshold value. Switching device (10) with a switching control device (19) according to one of the preceding claims, a power output (13), and a power switch (18) between one of the power terminals (11L, 11N) and the power output (13), which switches according to the switching control signal.Switching device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the circuit breaker (18) comprises a power semiconductor, in particular a FET or an IGBT, and / or an electromechanical switch, in particular a relay, and optionally a driver circuit required for this purpose. Switching system with a cross-connection with at least one changeover switch and optionally one or more intermediate switches, and a switching device (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cross-connection is connected to the auxiliary terminal (14) of the switching control device. Power switching control method in which the switching activities of a mechanical circuit are evaluated analogously or digitally and used to generate a switching control signal for controlling an electromechanically or electronically switchable switch. A power switching control method according to claim 16, wherein the analog or digital evaluation is performed with reference to voltage levels, in particular RMS value waveforms and their edges, of a power supply that generates the mechanical circuit, the mechanical circuit generating the voltage levels by pressing buttons and / or switching and / or toggling and / or cross-switching. A power switching method in which a switching control signal is generated by a power switching control method according to claim 16 or 17, with which a power switch is controlled.

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