A switching system for distributing electrical energy, comprising switching devices arranged in housing assemblies, the switching contacts of which can be actuated to open and close in a predetermined actuating direction in order to control the flow of energy from or to at least one transformer, a switching system, an energy generation plant, an energy storage device or other electrical equipment; wherein the actuating means of the switching contacts are arranged substantially adjacent to the switching contacts ; wherein a first and a second switching device are arranged so as to have a substantially vertical direction of actuation and the switching contacts of the first and second switching devices are directed towards each other; wherein a third switching device having a substantially horizontal direction of actuation is arranged at least partially above the first or second switching device ; and wherein a branch is designed to connect the third switching device to a downstream transformer, a downstream switching system, a downstream energy generation plant, a downstream energy storage device or other downstream electrical equipment; and wherein a voltage measuring means and a current measuring means are provided which are designed to measure voltage and current in said branch , characterized in that said branch comprises an overcurrent protection element which has a substantially vertical installation position; and that the voltage measuring means and the current measuring means are arranged adjacent to an outer housing wall and have their rear sides abutting said outer housing wall and/or secured thereto. switching devices arranged in housing assemblies, the switching contacts of which can be actuated to open and close in a predetermined actuating direction in order to control the flow of energy from or to at least one transformer, a switching system, an energy generation plant, an energy storage device or other electrical equipment; wherein the actuating means of the switching contacts are arranged substantially adjacent to the switching contacts ; wherein a first and a second switching device are arranged so as to have a substantially vertical direction of actuation and the switching contacts of the first and second switching devices are directed towards each other; wherein a third switching device having a substantially horizontal direction of actuation is arranged at least partially above the first or second switching device ; and wherein a branch is designed to connect the third switching device to a downstream transformer, a downstream switching system, a downstream energy generation plant, a downstream energy storage device or other downstream electrical equipment; and wherein a voltage measuring means and a current measuring means are provided which are designed to measure voltage and current in said branch , characterized in that said branch comprises an overcurrent protection element which has a substantially vertical installation position; and that the voltage measuring means and the current measuring means are arranged adjacent to an outer housing wall and have their rear sides abutting said outer housing wall and/or secured thereto. <EOS>