Abstract: In a display device of the reset type, damage of switching elements such as diodes (9, 19) due to electrostatic discharge is prevented by arranging a switching unit (14) between column electrodes (8) and lines (18) for a reference voltage. The switching unit (14) comprises, for example a series arrangement of diodes (13) which is arranged anti-parallel to the diodes (9, 19) between column electrodes and the reference line. Further measures for preventing electrostatic discharge between row electrodes (7, 11) and column electrodes (8) are described.