Switching device, in particular for a voltage limiting device, having a first fixed switching contact which is electrically connected to a first device terminal, a second fixed switching contact which is electrically connected to a second device terminal, a movable switching contact which may be moved between a closed position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are electrically connected to one another, and an open position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are separated from one another, wherein the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are arranged next to one another in such a way that their contact surfaces (14A, 15A) point in the same direction, and the movable switching contact is arranged in relation to the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) in such a way that its contact surface faces the contact surfaces (14A, 15A) of the first and second switching contacts (14, 15), wherein the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) and the movable switching contact form straight flat rails made of a conductive material which have a substantially rectangular cross section and are arranged in such a way that their broad sides form the contact surfaces (14A, 15A, 16A), and the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) and the movable switching contact form an arrangement of electrical conductors having longitudinal axes which are arranged parallel to one another, so that during operation of the switching device currents flow through the switching contacts in the same direction, characterised in that the contact surface (14A, 15A) of at least one of the fixed switching contacts (14, 15) is an elongated contact surface extending in the direction of current flow, which has a length (l) which is at least twice as long as the width (b) of the contact surface. a first fixed switching contact which is electrically connected to a first device terminal, a second fixed switching contact which is electrically connected to a second device terminal, a movable switching contact which may be moved between a closed position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are electrically connected to one another, and an open position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are separated from one another, wherein the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) are arranged next to one another in such a way that their contact surfaces (14A, 15A) point in the same direction, and the movable switching contact is arranged in relation to the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) in such a way that its contact surface faces the contact surfaces (14A, 15A) of the first and second switching contacts (14, 15), wherein the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) and the movable switching contact form straight flat rails made of a conductive material which have a substantially rectangular cross section and are arranged in such a way that their broad sides form the contact surfaces (14A, 15A, 16A), and the first and second fixed switching contacts (14, 15) and the movable switching contact form an arrangement of electrical conductors having longitudinal axes which are arranged parallel to one another, so that during operation of the switching device currents flow through the switching contacts in the same direction, characterised in that the contact surface (14A, 15A) of at least one of the fixed switching contacts (14, 15) is an elongated contact surface extending in the direction of current flow, which has a length (l) which is at least twice as long as the width (b) of the contact surface.