The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) with a circuit arrangement (3) comprising at least one mechanical switch (5) which is used to open and/or close an electrical contact (7), and a processor unit (9) which is used to carry out a first query (A1) and a second query (A2) of a contact state (1/0) of the contact (7), wherein the processor unit (9) is also used to provide an output signal (S) on the basis of an item of information relating to a change in the contact state (1/0) of the contact (7), which change is detected using the first and second queries (A1, A2), wherein the processor unit (9) is configured to carry out the second query (A2) after the first query (A1) in terms of time such that the second query (A2) precedes an expected bounce (P) of the contact (7).