Switching apparatus for dc electric grids

A DC electric grid comprising at least a switching apparatus, the switching apparatus comprising:

• first and second electric terminals for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of an electric line;
• a primary switching arrangement comprising one or more primary switching devices, wherein the primary switching devices are configured to switch reversibly between a conduction state, at which the primary switching devices conduct a current between the first and second electric terminals, and an interdiction state, at which the primary switching devices block a current flowing between the first and second electric terminals;
• a control stage comprising a control unit configured to control one or more controllable components of the switching apparatus;
• a power supply stage electrically connected to the control stage to feed the control stage with electric power drawn from the electric line;
• a secondary switching arrangement comprising one or more secondary switching devices controllable by the control unit, wherein the secondary switching devices are configured to switch reversibly between a first switching condition, at which the secondary switching devices electrically connect the first electric terminals to the power supply stage and electrically disconnect the second electric terminals from the power supply stage, and a second switching condition, at which the secondary switching devices electrically disconnect the first electric terminals from the power supply stage and electrically connect the second electric terminals to the power supply stage.