SWITCHING DEVICE

A switchgear (1) includes a movable part (2) capable of reciprocating movement including movement in a first direction and movement in a second direction, a movable contact (3) coupled to the movable part (2) and capable of reciprocating movement relative to the movable part (2), a biasing member (5) that biases the movable contact (3) in the first direction, a latch part (60) capable of switching between a first state in which movement of the movable contact (3) in the first direction is restricted and a second state in which movement of the movable contact (3) in the first direction is permitted, and a fixed contact (7) provided on a side of the first direction with respect to the movable contact (3). In a process in which the movable part (2) and the movable contact (3) move from an initial positions to a closed positions, after movement for a predetermined distance, the movement of the movable contact (3) is restricted by the latch part (60) in the first state, and when the movable part (2) has moved further in the first direction after the restriction of the movement of the movable contact (3), the latch part (60) is switched to the second state.