A multi-phase switching apparatus for electrical power systems, the apparatus comprising a base, a respective switching pole for each phase, each switching pole comprising: a switch device comprising first and second contacts (15A, 15B) that are actuatable between an open state and a closed state by switch actuation means; and a selector device coupled to said switch device and comprising a movable contact that is actuatable between at least two states by selector actuation means, wherein said switch device and said selector device extend from said base, and wherein said switch actuation means and said selector actuation means are provided at said base, and wherein said switch device has an actuation axis (A1-A1') along which at least part of said switch actuation means is movable, and said selector device has a actuation axis (A2-A2') along which said movable contact is movable, said switch device and said selector device extending from said base such that said respective actuation axes are substantially parallel with one another, and with the respective actuation axes of each other switching pole, and substantially perpendicular with said base, said selector device including multiple fixed contacts (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D), said movable contact being movable with respect to the fixed contacts between said at least two different states, and wherein in at least one of said at least two states said movable contact makes an electrical connection between two of said fixed contacts, said selector actuation means comprising a drive shaft coupled to drive means, said drive means being located at said base and said drive shaft extending from said base along said selector device actuation axis, the respective selector actuating means for each switching pole being coupled together to effect simultaneous operation of the respective selector devices, characterized in that, for each switching pole, said movable contact of the selector device is coupled to said drive shaft for movement along said selector device actuation axis in response to rotation of said drive shaft by said drive means. a switch device comprising first and second contacts (15A, 15B) that are actuatable between an open state and a closed state by switch actuation means; and a selector device coupled to said switch device and comprising a movable contact that is actuatable between at least two states by selector actuation means, wherein said switch device and said selector device extend from said base, and wherein said switch actuation means and said selector actuation means are provided at said base, and wherein said switch device has an actuation axis (A1-A1') along which at least part of said switch actuation means is movable, and said selector device has a actuation axis (A2-A2') along which said movable contact is movable, said switch device and said selector device extending from said base such that said respective actuation axes are substantially parallel with one another, and with the respective actuation axes of each other switching pole, and substantially perpendicular with said base, said selector device including multiple fixed contacts (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D), said movable contact being movable with respect to the fixed contacts between said at least two different states, and wherein in at least one of said at least two states said movable contact makes an electrical connection between two of said fixed contacts, said selector actuation means comprising a drive shaft coupled to drive means, said drive means being located at said base and said drive shaft extending from said base along said selector device actuation axis, the respective selector actuating means for each switching pole being coupled together to effect simultaneous operation of the respective selector devices, characterized in that, for each switching pole, said movable contact of the selector device is coupled to said drive shaft for movement along said selector device actuation axis in response to rotation of said drive shaft by said drive means.