An electromagnetic drive unit for a switching device, comprising: - a magnetic core with a first, a second and a third magnetic path (111, 112, 113) each arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic drive unit and coupled to longitudinal magnetic struts (116, 117) at respective ends to form a magnetic frame structure, - an armature configured to be movable along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second state, and - a first and a second magnetic coil (14, 15) configured to move the armature due to excitation of the first and/or the second magnetic coil (14, 15), wherein the first magnetic coil is arranged between the first and the second magnetic path (111, 112) and the second magnetic coil is arranged between the second and the third magnetic path (112, 113) with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the magnetic core and the magnetic coils (14, 15) are configured in coordination with each other such that a magnetic flux (MF ON, MF OFF) that flows through the magnetic paths (111, 112, 113) to move the armature between the first and the second state is adjustable, wherein the armature at one end comprises an inclined pole surface with respect to the longitudinal axis which is configured to interact with an inclined magnetic surface of the magnetic core to set the second state of the armature, wherein a gap having a predetermined width is defined between the inclined pole surface and the inclined magnetic surface between the armature and the magnetic core in the second state of the armature, and wherein the magnetic paths (111, 112, 113) are configured such that the second magnetic path is arranged between the first and the third magnetic path (111, 113) with respect to the longitudinal axis and comprises two separated segments (1121, 1122) each facing the armature on opposite sides, and wherein a non-magnetic gap between a respective segment (1121, 1122) of the second magnetic path and the armature has a predetermined width larger or equal 0,2 mm. - a magnetic core with a first, a second and a third magnetic path (111, 112, 113) each arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic drive unit and coupled to longitudinal magnetic struts (116, 117) at respective ends to form a magnetic frame structure, - an armature configured to be movable along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second state, and - a first and a second magnetic coil (14, 15) configured to move the armature due to excitation of the first and/or the second magnetic coil (14, 15), wherein the first magnetic coil is arranged between the first and the second magnetic path (111, 112) and the second magnetic coil is arranged between the second and the third magnetic path (112, 113) with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the magnetic core and the magnetic coils (14, 15) are configured in coordination with each other such that a magnetic flux (MF ON, MF OFF) that flows through the magnetic paths (111, 112, 113) to move the armature between the first and the second state is adjustable, wherein the armature at one end comprises an inclined pole surface with respect to the longitudinal axis which is configured to interact with an inclined magnetic surface of the magnetic core to set the second state of the armature, wherein a gap having a predetermined width is defined between the inclined pole surface and the inclined magnetic surface between the armature and the magnetic core in the second state of the armature, and wherein the magnetic paths (111, 112, 113) are configured such that the second magnetic path is arranged between the first and the third magnetic path (111, 113) with respect to the longitudinal axis and comprises two separated segments (1121, 1122) each facing the armature on opposite sides, and wherein a non-magnetic gap between a respective segment (1121, 1122) of the second magnetic path and the armature has a predetermined width larger or equal 0,2 mm.