A circuit configuration is used for off-load switching. The circuit configuration can be used as a component in a switch mode power supply, a clocked supply, a voltage regulator, and a lamp switch, wherein the circuit configuration is embodied as an IGBT, especially a field stop IGBT or alternately and additionally as a PT IGBT. A method for using the circuit configuration include three operating modes: in a first operating mode, power for a load is modulated by pulse modulation; in a second operating mode, the power is modulated by changing a switching-on time; and, in a third operating mode, both are implemented.