Switching device and method for operating a switching device

A switching device, comprising:

• a first terminal contact;
• a first fixed contact arranged at the first terminal contact;
• a contact bridge;
• a contact bridge carrier arranged at the contact bridge and comprising a barrier;
• a first movable contact arranged at the contact bridge;
• a second terminal contact;
• a second fixed contact arranged at the second terminal contact;
• a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge;
• and
• a magnetic drive assembly comprising a coil and an armature, the armature being coupled to the contact bridge,
• wherein the first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact in a switched-on state of the switching device,
• wherein the first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact in a switched-off state of the switching device,
• wherein the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in the switched-on state of the switching device,
• wherein the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in the switched-off state of the switching device,
• wherein the first terminal contact has a bended form such that a load current that flows through the first terminal contact, the first fixed contact, the first movable contact, and the contact bridge has a U-formed path in the switched-on state,
• wherein the barrier is arranged between the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact,
• wherein the switching device is a circuit breaker,
• wherein the first terminal contact has an U-form,
• wherein the first terminal contact has a first length between a middle of the first fixed contact and a bottom of the U-form and a second length between a middle of a terminal connection hole of the first terminal contact and the bottom of the U-form, and
• wherein an amount of difference between the first length and the second length is less than 20 mm.