<p>A vacuum interrupter includes a housing having two insulating material areas disposed and constructed symmetrically with respect to a center plane. Each of the two insulating material housing areas includes a plurality of insulating material housing parts. The interrupter has a compact construction and high dielectric strength. The insulating material housing part of each insulating material housing area located farthest away from the center plane has a length that is greater than the length of the other insulating material housing parts.</p>