A modular control apparatus comprises a central control module with a first logic unit and a second logic unit, first electronic modules connected to the first logic unit and having safety inputs and safety outputs, wherein the first electronic modules are designed to provide safety functions of a safety controller, and second electronic modules connected to the second logic unit and having inputs and outputs, wherein the second electronic modules are designed to provide standard functions of a programmable logic controller. The central control module and the first and second electronic modules are arranged in a row of modules. The safety functions of the first electronic modules are defined by positions of the first electronic modules in the row of modules and/or by fixed hardware settings, and the standard functions of the second electronic modules are programmable.