A circuit and a method for operating LED lighting devices are described. A first LED lighting device and a second LED lighting device are electrically connected in series between first and second lighting circuit terminals. A third lighting circuit terminal is connected between the first and second LED lighting devices. A power supply with a first and second power supply terminals for delivering electrical power to the LED lighting devices is provided. Further, a switching circuit comprises at least a first switching element and second switching element. The first switching element is connected between the first power supply terminal and the first lighting circuit terminal. The second switching element is connected between the first power supply terminal and the third lighting circuit terminal. The switching circuit receives switching signals sw1, sw2 from a control circuit.