METHOD AND CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR DISCONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO CONNECTING POINTS

The invention relates to a method for disconnecting an electrical connection of an overvoltage protection element (12), intermediately connected between two connecting points (16, 18), from one of these connecting points (16), having a first feed path (20) which electrically connects a connection of the overvoltage protection element (12) to one of the connecting points (16), wherein in the first feed path (20) a first opening switch (24) is arranged which is opened by being triggered by a change in pressure and/or a change in temperature of the overvoltage protection element (12). There is provision that when the first switch (24) opens, switching over occurs to a second feed path (22) connected in parallel with the first feed path (20), wherein in the second feed path (22) a second opening switch (26) is arranged for safely disconnecting a follow current, and wherein the opening of the second switch (26) takes place with a delay with respect to the opening of the first switch (24). The invention also relates to a corresponding circuit arrangement (12) and to a switching device (40) for use as a second switch (26) in the method.