Magnetic actuating device

A switching apparatus, comprising:

• a switch;
• and
• a magnetic actuating device for operating said switch, said magnetic actuating device including:
• a reference element;
• an actuating element disposed to move relative to said reference element between a first limit position and a second limit position, at least one of said reference element and said actuating element formed from a magnetic material;
• a drive coil for producing a magnetic field which moves said actuating element from the first limit position to the second limit position;
• a mechanical tensioning apparatus for storing mechanical energy by which said actuating element can be moved from the second limit position to the first limit position;
• a fixing device for producing a holding force for fixing said actuating element in the second limit position relative to said reference element, said fixing device containing a fixing unit having a permanent magnet and is separate from said actuating element;
• a lever configuration coupling said reference element to said actuating element, said lever configuration converting a first force exerted by said actuating element on said lever configuration in a movement direction of said actuating element to a second force acting transversely with respect to the first force and having a smaller magnitude;
• and
• said lever configuration having a rotating joint, a first lever rotatably attached to said reference element, and a second lever rotatably attached to said actuating element, said first lever and said second lever being connected to one another via said rotating joint.