Abstract: A vacuum-switching tube for a vacuum switch having two poles and producing metal vapor during switching, includes a housing having a metal vessel partially defining a switching chamber and at least one high temperature-resistant insulator disposed axially of the metal vessel outside the switching chamber, the insulator having a side facing away from the switching chamber and the insulator having a relatively small axial height being at least sufficient for insulating the two poles of the vacuum switch at given voltages expected in the vacuum-switching tube during operation, fixed and movable coaxial switching contacts disposed in the switching chamber, a shaft connected to the movable contact for moving the movable contact in axial direction, a device for shielding the insulator from the metal vapor produced during switching, the shielding device defining a boundary of the switching chamber in axial direction, accordion bellows disposed outside the switching chamber and adjacent the side of the insulator faci