The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling or monitoring an electrical appliance (7) that can be inserted into a power outlet (6) in order to be supplied with power, said outlet being connected to a power supply terminal (2) of a power supply module (1) by means of a power supply circuit (5). First, an identification (S1) of the power outlet (6) used for the electrical appliance (7) is carried out on the basis of a parameter change detected at the power supply terminal (2) of the power supply module (1) or on the basis of an identification signal transmitted from the power outlet (6) to the power supply connection (2) of the power supply module (1) via a signalling line (11) associated with the power supply circuit (5). A logical address of the identified power outlet (6) is then associated (S2) with the respective power supply terminal (2) of the power supply module (1). The electrical appliance (7) connected to the identified power outlet (6) is controlled or monitored (S3) on the basis of the associated logical address of the identified power outlet (6).
