Abstract: A vacuum switching tube having an evacuated housing in which contacts are disposed movable relative to each other and an improved current lead for such a vacuum tube are disclosed. The current lead comprises a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The core is made of a material with low electric conductivity compared to the jacket and has a helical outer contour. The core can be made by twisting a rod of polygonal or star-shaped cross section. A jacket of a material with relatively high electrical conductivity and with a smooth cylindrical outer contour is applied to the core. The jacket is joined to the core firmly without space between them or is made in one piece with the core.