Switching module for a modular multi-level converter comprising a bridge branch extending between a first and a second outer connection of the switching module and having at least a first turn-off semiconductor switch and a first energy storage unit branch which comprises a first energy storage unit and at least a second turn-off semiconductor switch and which is connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch, a second energy storage unit branch which comprises a second energy storage unit and at least a third turn-off semiconductor switch, wherein the second energy storage unit branch is connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch and with the first energy storage unit branch so as to form the switching module, wherein the semiconductor switches (H1-3) are connected to the energy storage units (E1,2) of the switching module in such a way that an energy storage unit voltage (UC1, UC2) dropping across each of the energy storage units (E1, E2) or a zero voltage can be produced at the connections (X1, X2) of the switching module, wherein the bridge branch comprises the first and a fourth turn-off semiconductor switch (H1, H4), the latter being arranged between the first semiconductor switch and the second outer connection of the switching module, and the switching module further comprises - a first switching branch which extends between a first potential point between the fourth semiconductor switch and the second connection and a second potential point between the first energy storage unit and the second semiconductor switch, wherein a fifth semiconductor switch is arranged in the first switching branch, and - a second switching branch which extends between the first potential point and a third potential point between the second energy storage unit and the third semiconductor switch, wherein a sixth semiconductor switch is arranged in the second switching branch, characterized in that the energy storage unit branches (EZ1, EZ2) respectively have a seventh and an eighth semiconductor switch (H7, H8) connected in series with the energy storage unit (E1, E2). a bridge branch extending between a first and a second outer connection of the switching module and having at least a first turn-off semiconductor switch and a first energy storage unit branch which comprises a first energy storage unit and at least a second turn-off semiconductor switch and which is connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch, a second energy storage unit branch which comprises a second energy storage unit and at least a third turn-off semiconductor switch, wherein the second energy storage unit branch is connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch and with the first energy storage unit branch so as to form the switching module, wherein the semiconductor switches (H1-3) are connected to the energy storage units (E1,2) of the switching module in such a way that an energy storage unit voltage (UC1, UC2) dropping across each of the energy storage units (E1, E2) or a zero voltage can be produced at the connections (X1, X2) of the switching module, wherein the bridge branch comprises the first and a fourth turn-off semiconductor switch (H1, H4), the latter being arranged between the first semiconductor switch and the second outer connection of the switching module, and the switching module further comprises - a first switching branch which extends between a first potential point between the fourth semiconductor switch and the second connection and a second potential point between the first energy storage unit and the second semiconductor switch, wherein a fifth semiconductor switch is arranged in the first switching branch, and - a second switching branch which extends between the first potential point and a third potential point between the second energy storage unit and the third semiconductor switch, wherein a sixth semiconductor switch is arranged in the second switching branch, characterized in that - a first switching branch which extends between a first potential point between the fourth semiconductor switch and the second connection and a second potential point between the first energy storage unit and the second semiconductor switch, wherein a fifth semiconductor switch is arranged in the first switching branch, and - a second switching branch which extends between the first potential point and a third potential point between the second energy storage unit and the third semiconductor switch, wherein a sixth semiconductor switch is arranged in the second switching branch, characterized in that the energy storage unit branches (EZ1, EZ2) respectively have a seventh and an eighth semiconductor switch (H7, H8) connected in series with the energy storage unit (E1, E2).