Switching device and method for detecting malfunctioning of such a switching device

A detection method for detecting a malfunction in a switching device, the switching device including:

• at least one pair of fixed contacts and, for the or each pair of fixed contacts, a movable contact that is movable between a closed position and an open position, the fixed contacts being, in the closed position the movable contact, electrically connected to one another via the movable contact and being electrically isolated from one another in the open position the movable contact,
• a contact holder capable of holding in place the or each movable contact, the contact holder being movable, along a vertical direction, between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the or each movable contact and a second position corresponding to the open position of the or each movable contact, and
• an actuator capable of actuating the translational movement of the contact holder between its first and second positions,
• wherein the method further includes the steps of:
• the actuation of the movement of a plate by the actuator, the device including the said plate capable of applying a force on the movable contact holder, the plate driving the translational movement of the contact holder from its first position to its second position, the plate being movable relative to the movable contact holder,
• the measurement, during the translational movement of the contact holder from its first position to its second position, of the movement of the plate, along the vertical direction relative to the movable contact holder, and
• the detection of a malfunction in the switching device based on at least one value measured during the step of measuring.