A method is set up to operate an arrangement that has N radiation-emitting semiconductor chips arranged in an electric series circuit. The arrangement includes multiple switching elements, wherein to each of the semiconductor chips one of the switching elements is connected electrically in parallel. The arrangement includes a controller for the mutually independent activation of the switching elements. The arrangement includes a constant current circuit for energizing the series circuit. When switching off, the respective semiconductor chip associated with a switching element is bridged electrically by the switching element. A protective module of the arrangement is set up to reduce or to prevent current peaks when one or more of the semiconductor chips is/are switched off.