Abstract: A method determines a switching time of an electric switching device containing an interrupter path disposed between a first line section subjected to a driving voltage and a second line section that forms an oscillating circuit after the switching device undergoes a shut-off step. The method is used for determining the best possible switching time for an electrical switching device to minimize transient voltage surges. It is proposed that either—a temporal progression of a voltage that develops along the interrupter path is determined during a scanning period; or that—a temporal progression of a voltage that develops along the interrupter path is determined during the scanning time.