Electric switch

1. An electric switch comprising: a contact system; a movable actuating element for switching over the contact system between two switch positions; and an actuator driven by electronics, which is operatively connected to the actuating element such that the actuating element in at least one of the two switch positions is moved, on driving of the actuator, into the other switch position by the actuator for switching the contact system, wherein the actuator is an electromagnet having a coil and an armature, with the armature comprising a plunger that directly contacts a lip that is integral to the actuating element, such that the operative connection between the actuator and the actuating element is effected by the plunger of the armature on the lip of the actuating element,

wherein the armature is movable within the actuator between a lower end position where the uppermost end of the plunger is retracted to be downwardly below in relation to upper adjacent areas of the actuator and an upper end position where the uppermost end of the plunger is protruded to be upwardly above in relation to the upper adjacent areas of the actuator, and

wherein the actuating element is mechanically switchable between an on switch position and an off switch position of the contact system and when the actuating element is switched to the on switch position, the armature is in the lower end position and the uppermost end of the plunger is in direct contact with the lip of the actuating element such that when the actuating element is moved by the actuator, the actuating element is driven from the on switch position to the off switch position of the contact system by the movement of the armature from the lower end position to the upper end position via the direct contact of the uppermost end of the plunger on the lip of the actuating element so as to switch off the contact system electronically.

2. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch has a housing, the actuator and the electronics are located in the housing, and the electronics are programmable electronics, for moving the actuating element into the off switch position of the contact system in a controlled manner.

3. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronics have a microcontroller, and in that preferably a time span, in particular in the fashion of a disconnection time, is programmable such that the electronics drive the actuator for switching the contact system when the time span has elapsed.

4. The electric switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the electronics are operable in a test mode for checking for driving of the actuator, and a mains frequency of the supply voltage is used as an indicator for changeover to the test mode, and when the electronics then identify a usual mains frequency, the action of the test mode is activated, and with this action the switch is switched off prior to elapse of a time span.

5. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has a lug, by means of which the electronics are operated in an operating mode, in particular in the test mode, in that preferably by at least partially removing the lug, the electronics are operated in another operating mode, in particular the test mode is ended, in that further preferably the lug is passed outwards through a slot in the housing, and in that yet further preferably, once that part of the lug which protrudes out of the housing slot has been removed, in particular by being broken off at the housing slot, the rest of the lug acts as closure for the housing slot.

6. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has a programming lug, which is in particular passed to the outside through a slot in the housing in such a way that, by means of contact-making points on the programming lug, the programming and/or final inspection of the switch is made possible, and in that preferably the programming lug is perforated at the housing outlet in such a way that said programming lug can be broken off after completion, wherein in particular the rest of the programming lug is used as closure for the housing slot.

7. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is driven at least one further time in the event of faulty non-completion of the switchover of the contact system to the other switch position, wherein an amount of time which is matched to the cooling response of the actuator is waited in particular between the drive pulses for the actuator before the control pulse for the next driving is initiated again, and in that, preferably after a defined number of faulty drive attempts, the operation of the drivable switchover is deactivated.

8. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the load circuit of the switch is isolated from the drive circuit of the actuator, wherein in particular the drive circuit is operated by means of a low voltage, and in that preferably an optocoupler is used for the isolation.

9. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronics have a fuse for the event of an overload and/or fault, and in that preferably the fuse is integrated as a fuse section, possibly in the printed circuit board layout of the printed circuit board, wherein in particular the fuse section is guided in the plane and/or in three dimensions in the printed circuit board.

10. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a means for measuring the electric current flowing through the switch is provided, and in that preferably the current measurement means comprises a resistor, in particular a meandering path at an electrical terminal of the switch, possibly an amplifier and possibly a comparator.

11. The electric switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electric switch is a rocker switch.

12. The electric switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the electronics comprise a timer.

13. The electric switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the electronics are arranged on a printed circuit board located in the housing.

14. The electric switch as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the electronics change over to the test mode when the mains frequency is identified as not corresponding to usual mains frequencies and has a defined value.

15. The electric switch as claimed in claim 4 , wherein when the action of the test mode is activated, the switch is switched off immediately.