A drive circuit has a control signal input for receiving a first control signal at a first circuit input, an optocoupler which is connected to the control signal input and which is adapted to generate a galvanically decoupled second control signal in accordance with the first control signal, an output circuit for controlling at least one circuit output terminal of the drive circuit in accordance with a third control signal, and an electronic control circuit comprising an energy supply, an input for receiving the second control signal, and an output for outputting the third control signal in accordance with the second control signal received at the input.