A facility is described for the automatic recognition and differentiation of single-channel or dual-channel electronic sensors, which are connected to a dual-channel safety combination with two connecting line pairs for emergency stop facilities in the form of electronic sensors or emergency stop buttons, with a first connecting conductor pair being provided for single-channel operation and the first and a second connecting line pair being provided for dual-channel operation of the safety combination, said facility comprising an ohmic resistance arranged in at least a first connecting line of the second connecting line pair and a transistor connected by its emitter or collector to a first side of the ohmic resistance and by its base to a second side of the ohmic resistance in such a manner that during a current flow through a dual-channel electronic sensor connected to both connecting conductor pairs a voltage drop at the ohmic resistance switches the transistor, so that an output signal is generated at the collector or emitter of the transistor, indicating connection of the dual-channel electronic sensor. A method is also described for the automatic recognition and differentiation at least of single-channel or dual-channel electronic sensors connected to a dual-channel safety combination.