Switching device with an ON state, an OFF state for opening, closing or commutating a circuit between a first contact and a second contact and further intermediate states between the ON state and the OFF state, and with a variable resistor element, which is electrically arranged between the first contact and the second contact, wherein the switching device is closed in the ON state and open in the OFF state, wherein the state of the switching device is changed by means of a mechanical transit movement, characterized in that the transit movement is performed in such a way that the prevailing voltage drop at any point in time is less than the ignition voltage of an electric arc, and the switching energy in the variable resistor element is consequently dissipated in the form of electrical power loss, and in that, in the event of overcurrents below an overcurrent threshold value, the variable resistor element is transferred to an intermediate state by the transit movement, so that electrical damping is introduced into the circuit without interrupting it, wherein the variable resistor element comprises a movable element and a fixed element, wherein the movable element is substantially cylindrical, wherein the fixed element is substantially hollow-cylindrical, wherein the movable element is designed such that it is able to be plunged into the fixed element and can be moved against the latter, wherein a first contact system is attached to the movable element and a second contact system is attached to the fixed element, in each case for establishing electrical contact between the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the linear transit movement changes the distance between the first contact system and the second contact system, as a result of which the division of the current path between the movable element and the fixed element changes. the transit movement is performed in such a way that the prevailing voltage drop at any point in time is less than the ignition voltage of an electric arc, and the switching energy in the variable resistor element is consequently dissipated in the form of electrical power loss, and in that, in the event of overcurrents below an overcurrent threshold value, the variable resistor element is transferred to an intermediate state by the transit movement, so that electrical damping is introduced into the circuit without interrupting it, wherein the variable resistor element comprises a movable element and a fixed element, wherein the movable element is substantially cylindrical, wherein the fixed element is substantially hollow-cylindrical, wherein the movable element is designed such that it is able to be plunged into the fixed element and can be moved against the latter, wherein a first contact system is attached to the movable element and a second contact system is attached to the fixed element, in each case for establishing electrical contact between the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the linear transit movement changes the distance between the first contact system and the second contact system, as a result of which the division of the current path between the movable element and the fixed element changes.