The invention concerns a socket (1) in which a switching device (11) switches voltage from the supply side (3) through to the consumer side (4) only when a consumer (2) is provided. A measuring device (5), which is supplied with power, comprises a direct current test circuit (7) and an alternating current test circuit (8). Both test circuits attempt to pass measuring currents over a connected load. The alternating current test circuit (8) operates at higher frequencies than the mains frequency. An evaluation circuit (9) is designed to decide on the basis of predetermined criteria and measured values in a logical AND connection whether switch contacts of the switching device (11) are to be closed.
