first part of the rotary movement and due to the selected starting position of crank 46 switch s2 does not move in the opening direction dead point position the desired delay u03b4t can be realized with precision by suitably dimensioning the long hole 45 of switching rod 44 in fig7 switch s1 is again actuated by drive shaft 41 a resilient auxiliary contact 51 is disposed at contact bolt 43 of the movable contact and closes after part of switching path x 1 thus connecting energy source 52 with a magnetic drive 53 this magnetic drive 53 opens switch s2 with a delay the moment at which auxiliary contact 51 is closed in connection with the electromagnetic time constant of magnetic drive 53 determines the delay u03b4t to further clarify the operation of the switching device according to the invention fig3 and 4 each show the switching sequence for a partially inductive load current i l and a partially capacitive current i c respectively with switches s1 and s2 in the positions characteristic for interruption in switch position i of fig3 a and 4a both switches are closed the operating current flows through switches s1 and s2 to load v or to capacitor c in switch position ii of fig3 b and 4b switch s1 is open while switch s2 is still closed and an arc li burns at the electrodes of switch s1 see fig1 in fig3 c the arc is extinct in switch position iiia and i l 0 switch s1 is now almost completely open and is able to handle the switching voltage u wl the interruption process is completeed although switch s2 is still closed at the end of the switch movement onto switch position iv of.