Independent polarity switching device for guiding and cutting direct currents

A polarity-independent switching device for guiding and separating high direct currents comprising a gas-tight encapsulated, electrically insulating housing which can be filled with an insulating gas, at least one pair of contacts disposed in the housing and having a fixed contact and a movable contact, the two contacts in an on-state of the switching device to each other and are in contact, separated in an off state of the switching device, an arc driving arrangement which generates a magnetic field at least in the region of the contact pair, and a first Lichtbogenleitanordnung by means of which an occurring between the contacts arc with a first current direction in the direction of a remotely located from the contacts deletion area is managed.