control apparatus for an electrical load device , comprising a relay having a winding and a set of normally open contacts which are closed and opened , after short delays , upon energization and deenergization respectively of the winding , first and second switches arranged to be closed and opened in predetermined sequences , a first circuit for supplying electrical energy from a source to the winding through both the switches series , and a second circuit for supplying electrical energy to the winding and the load device from the source through one of the switches and the contacts of the relay , the second circuit connecting the contacts in parallel with the other of the switches .