Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device for operationally switching currents in the load range and having an instantaneous release, connected in series, for protection against welding of the contacts (6) in the overload range is created, and has a high reliability and low overall volume. The electromagnet (2) of the switching device (1) is arranged in the middle relative to the contact bridge carrier (8) and coupled directly to the latter in the middle. The instantaneous release (3) acts via a rocker (15) on the movable contact (6) and is actuated only in the case of overcurrents, use being made of the fact that only the directly coupled drive system of the switching device is employed in the nominal current range.

Abstract: A switching apparatus of the kind in which contact bridges held in a contact bridge carrier in tiers, one behind the other, as seen in the switching direction, can be brought into contact with fixed contact members fastened to a single housing part. In particular, with the number of the bridges in the individual tiers uneven in number, the walls of the housing, which form at least in part the arcing chambers for the contact points of the contact members, extend into slots of the contact bridge carrier to form labyrinths and, at least one of said walls extends over only one tier. Additionally, the contact points of the upper tier are arranged, preferably, in recesses of the contact bridge carrier.The present switching apparatus has the advantage that it permits accomodating in one molded housing, for instance, three main switch poles and four auxiliary switch poles.