Switching device with an isolating or earthing function

A switching device with a disconnecting or grounding function, the switching device comprising:

• an encapsulation housing filled with an insulating gas;
• a first contact configuration having a first main contact and a first arcing contact connected to said first main contact in an electrically conductive manner;
• a second contact configuration having a second main contact and a second arcing contact connected to said second main contact in an electrically conductive manner;
• a nozzle configuration set up for streaming the insulating gas onto a switch arc between said first and second arcing contacts;
• and
• said first and second contact configurations being movable relatively to one another between a first end position, in which said first and second main contacts contact one another and said first and second arcing contacts contact one another, and a second end position, in which said first and second main contacts are disconnected from one another and said first and second arcing contacts are disconnected from one another, wherein during a movement from the first end position into the second end position, said first and second main contacts upstream of said first and second arcing contacts are disconnected from one another and the switch arc between said first and second arcing contacts is quenched by streaming the insulating gas onto the switch arc.