A circuit configuration is provided for switching valves with joint pulse width modulation and quenching, having a first switch to which a pulse width modulation is applied for controlling magnetic fields of a plurality of valve inductors connected to the circuit configuration; a plurality of second switches by which the circuit configuration is able to be switched between a slow and a rapid quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors; and a diode which is in the conducting state when the second switches are in a switching state for a slow quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors, and which is no longer parallel to the inductors when the second switches are in a switching state for a rapid quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors.