Abstract: The switching device for switching high electrical currents and voltages has at least one switch pole (1, 1?, 1?) which is operated by means of a rotatable shaft (8, 8?, 8?). Furthermore, the switching device has at least one lever system (10, 10?, 10?), a first switching linkage (11) and at least one drive (2) with a drive rod (24), with the rotatable shaft (8, 8?, 8?) being connected to the lever system (10, 10?, 10?), the lever system (10, 10?, 10?) being connected to the first switching linkage (11), and the first switching linkage (11) being operatively connected to the drive rod (24). Movements of the drive rod (24) are converted to rotary movements of the rotatable shaft (8, 8?, 8?). The physical space which is required for installation of the switching device is intended to be capable of being matched to the physical circumstances.

Abstract: The switching device for switching high electrical currents and voltages has at least one switch pole (1, 1′, 1″) which is operated by means of a rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″). Furthermore, the switching device has at least one lever system (10, 10′, 10″), a first switching linkage (11) and at least one drive (2) with a drive rod (24), with the rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″) being connected to the lever system (10, 10,′, 10″), the lever system (10, 10′, 10″) being connected to the first switching linkage (11), and the first switching linkage (11) being operatively connected to the drive rod (24). Movements of the drive rod (24) are converted to rotary movements of the rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″). The physical space which is required for installation of the switching device is intended to be capable of being matched to the physical circumstances.