Patent ID: 8779318

Claim:
A switching device for electric power distribution, electrically connectable to an electrical conductor, the switching device comprising a breaker electrically connectable to the electrical conductor, and an electrically conductive housing to which the breaker is mounted, the switching device providing a current path between the breaker and the electrical conductor, and the housing houses at least one guiding member for operating the breaker, the at least one guiding member being movable in relation to the housing, the housing having an outer surface, and the housing has a smooth outer shape to distribute the electric field generated by the voltage of the current through the switching device, wherein the switching device comprises a switch or electrically connecting the housing to the electrical conductor, the switch comprising a switch element movable to a first position in which the switch element is electrically connected to the housing and to the electrical conductor, movable to a second position in which the switch element is disconnected from the electrical conductor and electrically connected to the housing and to a grounded element, and movable to a third position in which the switch element is disconnected from the electrical conductor and from the grounded element, wherein the switch element is pivotable about an axis of rotation and pivotable between the first, second and third positions, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the switch element is located outside the outer surface of the housing, and in that in the third position, the switch element is situated within the outer surface of the housing.