Switch having an arc-quenching device

A switching device for application in a vacuum switching tube or for arc quenching in gases, the switching device comprising:

• a contact system having a moveable contact electrically conductively connected to a first electrical contact and a fixed contact electrically conductively connected to a second electrical contact;
• an arc-quenching device having:
• an arrangement for generating a magnetic field which is constituted in a perpendicular plane to a direction of motion of said moveable contact, wherein said arrangement for generating the magnetic field including a U-shaped core having a base arranged between said fixed contact and an electrical connecting lead of said fixed contact which constitutes a first current loop, wherein said connecting lead connects said fixed contact to said second electrical contact in an electrically conductive manner, and said U-shaped core having two limbs that extend along said contact system, around said contact system;
• two or more arc-quenching electrodes laterally offset from said contact system such that a movement of said moveable contact of said contact system is not restricted by said two or more arc-quenching electrodes;
• said two or more arc-quenching electrodes, when said contact system is in an open state, being laterally offset between said moveable contact and said fixed contact;
• said two or more arc-quenching electrodes being arranged perpendicularly to the direction of motion of said moveable contact;
• and
• said two or more arc-quenching electrodes being arranged on an open side of said U-shaped core of said arrangement for generating the magnetic field, such that a Lorentz force can act on moving electrons in a plasma of an arc in the magnetic field of said arrangement for generating the magnetic field;
• an electrical counter-pulse device having at least one first capacitor and/or having at least one transformer, wherein said electrical counter-pulse device:
• is connected to said first electrical contact and to said second electrical contact;
• and
• is connected to said two or more arc-quenching electrodes such that a first arc-quenching electrode of said two or more arc-quenching electrodes, in the open state of said contact system, is arranged in closer spatial proximity to said fixed contact than to said moveable contact, and such that said first capacitor and/or said at least one transformer, on a first side, is connected to said first arc-quenching electrode, wherein the first side assumes a polarity of said first electrical contact;
• and
• is connected to said two or more arc-quenching electrodes, such that a second arc-quenching electrode of said two or more arc-quenching electrodes, in the open state of said contact system, is arranged in closer spatial proximity to said moveable contact than to said fixed contact, and such that said first capacitor and/or said at least one transformer (46′), on a second side, is connected to said second arc-quenching electrode, wherein the second side assumes a polarity of said second electrical contact.