Battery having a plurality of battery cells

The invention relates to a battery comprising a stack (1) of a plurality of stacked or juxtaposed battery cells (2) which are electrically connected in series or parallel to each other, in that each unit battery cell (2) at least two cell poles (3, 4) are, and said cell poles (3, 4) of different battery cells (2) electrically contact with each other, each unit battery cell (2) an electrode stack (5) comprises cathodes and anodes, and a first cell pole (3) of the unit battery cell (2) electrically connected to the cathode and a second cell pole (4) of the unit battery cell (2) is electrically connected to the anodes. The battery according to the invention is characterized in that a switching element (8) having at least two switching positions provided in the connection between at least one of the two cell poles (3, 4) and the electrode stack (5) in a first switching position the cell pole (3, 4) electrically connects the electrode stack (5) and in a second switching position, the electrical connection to the electrode stack (5) and interrupts the cell poles (3, 4) of the unit battery cell (2) short-circuits.