SWITCHING DEVICE

A switching device has a switching chamber; a plate-like switching element, which can be moved in the switching chamber along a linear movement axis (Z) between an ON position in which the switching element connects fixed contacts to one another, and an OFF position in which the switching element is at a distance from the fixed contacts; an actuator for linear movement of the switching element inside the switching chamber; and spring(s) which prestress the switching element in the direction of the movement axis (Z). Guides are provided and configured so the switching element in the switching chamber is guided along the movement axis (Z) in a linearly movable manner and held so a main axis (N) of the switching element, which runs perpendicularly with respect to the two main extension directions (X, Y) of the switching element, is oriented at least substantially parallel to the movement axis (Z).