Device combination for protecting electrical networks against over-voltages or over-currents, consisting of a substantially U-shaped socket and a plug-in module which can be plugged or slid onto the socket , the socket having terminals for connection to the relevant network and plug-in contacts which are connected to the terminals and which are complementary to plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues of the plug-in module , the plug-in module further having a housing which receives one or more lightning current and/or over-voltage arresters, and the plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues passing through a base face of the housing, characterised in that means for changing the position and the distance between the plug-in contacts and the plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues are provided, it being possible, starting from a working position with a closed electrical connection, capable of carrying a surge current, between the plug-in module and the socket , to select a parking position in which the plug-in contacts and plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues are located in a projecting activation location, at a distance corresponding to the necessary electrical separating distance and to the required air and creepage distances, but with the plug-in module still being held or fixed on the socket ; a spindle for converting a rotational movement into a longitudinal movement being arranged between the base and the plug-in module in such a way that the plug-in module is movable towards and away from the socket and is held in the relevant orientation so as to achieve both a secure electrical plug-in connection between the plug-in contacts and the plug-in counter contacts and also defined activation by separating the contacts; and the spindle is mounted rotatably in the plug-in module and accessible from the upper plug-in module face , a threaded hole complementary to the spindle being arranged in the socket . characterised in that means for changing the position and the distance between the plug-in contacts and the plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues are provided, it being possible, starting from a working position with a closed electrical connection, capable of carrying a surge current, between the plug-in module and the socket , to select a parking position in which the plug-in contacts and plug-in counter contacts or contact tongues are located in a projecting activation location, at a distance corresponding to the necessary electrical separating distance and to the required air and creepage distances, but with the plug-in module still being held or fixed on the socket ; a spindle for converting a rotational movement into a longitudinal movement being arranged between the base and the plug-in module in such a way that the plug-in module is movable towards and away from the socket and is held in the relevant orientation so as to achieve both a secure electrical plug-in connection between the plug-in contacts and the plug-in counter contacts and also defined activation by separating the contacts; and the spindle is mounted rotatably in the plug-in module and accessible from the upper plug-in module face , a threaded hole complementary to the spindle being arranged in the socket . <EOS>