Method for operating a fuel cell and fuel cell arrangement

An evaluatory unit (24) i.e. an integrated circuit (IC) has user-programmable function memories (FMs) (26a-26f) for different fuel cell monitoring functions. The FMs have logical AND/OR switching to generate an output signal (A) for switching the cells off. A first FM (26a) detects a gas Townsend current time (T1).A test signal (M) is detected by the fuel cell and fed to the IC for processing. An Independent claim is also included for a fuel cell structure with multiple fuel cells.