Switching device

The invention relates to a switching device, comprising: a switching chamber (2); a plate-like switching element (1), which can be moved in the switching chamber (2) along a linear movement axis (Z) between an an ON position in which the switching element (1) connects fixed contacts to one another, and an OFF position in which the switching element (1) is at a distance from the fixed contacts; actuating means (22) for linear movement of the switching element (1) inside the switching chamber (2); and spring means (8) which prestress the switching element (1) in the direction of the movement axis (Z), characterised in that guiding means (10) are provided and configured such that the switching element (1) in the switching chamber (2) is guided along the movement axis (Z) in a linearly movablemanner and held such that a main axis (N) of the switching element (1), which runs perpendicularly with respect to the two main extension directions (X, Y) of the switching element (1), is oriented at least substantially par