Circuit arrangement and method for driving an electrical load

1. A circuit arrangement for driving an electrical load, comprising:

a connection node for connecting the electrical load;

a control device that is coupled to the connection node for driving the electrical load; and

a detection circuit that is coupled to the connection node for detecting a trigger signal at the connection node during a first operating phase, and coupled to the control device via a measurement channel, wherein during a second operating phase a load current is provided at the connection node, when the detected trigger signal exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control device is coupled via a controllable current source to the connection node, and

wherein the controllable current source is connected to a supply node to supply the controllable current source.

3. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the detection circuit comprises a comparator that

is connected via a first input to the connection node,

is connected via a second input to a reference voltage source, and

is coupled at one output to the control device via the measurement channel.

4. The circuit arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the comparator is controllably connected via an activation path to the control device.

5. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is adapted to be configured via at least one control terminal on the control device.

6. The circuit arrangement according to claim 5 , wherein a control unit is connected to the at least one control terminal and to the connection node.

7. The circuit arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein a protection circuit connects the connection node and the control unit.

8. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1 that is constructed as an integrated circuit.

9. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein at least one lighting means is connected to the connection node.

10. A method for driving an electrical load, comprising:

a first operating phase, in which a signal is monitored by a detection circuit coupled to a connection node of a circuit arrangement for driving the electrical load; and

a second operating phase, in which a load current is provided at the connection node via a control device coupled to the connection node, when the monitored trigger signal exceeds a predetermined value.

11. The method according to claim 10 ,

wherein the monitored trigger signal is compared to a reference signal in the first operating phase, and

wherein in the second operating phase, the load current is provided as a function of the comparison.

12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first operating phase is activated by a configuration signal.

13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the provision of the load current at the connection node can be controlled by the configuration signal.

14. A circuit arrangement for driving an electrical load, comprising:

a connection node for connecting the electrical load;

a control device that is coupled to the connection node for driving the electrical load; and

a detection circuit that is coupled to the connection node for detecting a trigger signal at the connection node, during a first operating phase, in which the trigger signal can be provided by a control unit, and which is coupled to the control device via a measurement channel, wherein during a second operating phase a load current is provided at the connection node, when the detected trigger signal exceeds a predetermined value.

15. A circuit arrangement for driving an electric load, comprising:

a connection node for connecting the electrical load;

a control device that is coupled to the connection node for driving the electrical load; and

a detection circuit that is coupled to the connection node for detecting a trigger signal at the connection node and coupled to the control device via a measurement channel,

wherein the detection circuit comprises a comparator that

is connected via a first input to the connection node,

is connected via a second input to a reference voltage source, and

is coupled at one output to the control device via the measurement channel.

16. The circuit arrangement according to claim 15 , wherein the comparator is controllably connected via an activation path to the control device.