Switchgear and method for operating switchgear

A switchgear, comprising:

• a vacuum valve, which has a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, and inside of which a vacuum is produced,
• an air-insulated earthing-and-disconnecting switch comprising a movable electrode, a bus side fixed electrode disposed at a bus side, an earthing side fixed electrode at ground potential, and an intermediate fixed electrode which is located midway between the bus side fixed electrode and the earthing side fixed electrode, and
• a solid insulator with which the vacuum valve and the air insulated earthing-and disconnecting switch are integrally molded,
• wherein the intermediate fixed electrode is electrically connected to a moveable side holder of the vacuum valve via a flexible conductor,
• wherein the fixed electrodes are linearly disposed, and the movable electrode of the air-insulated earthing-and-disconnecting switch is slidably contactable to the bus side fixed electrode, the intermediate fixed electrode, and the earthing side fixed electrode,
• wherein the earthing side fixed electrode is located on the opposite side of the bus side fixed electrode with respect to the movable electrode of the air-insulated earthing-and-disconnecting switch, and
• wherein the movable electrode of the air-insulated earthing-and-disconnecting switch is linearly displaced to three positions, including a closing position, a disconnecting position, and an earthing position.