<p>An electric switching device for alternating current comprises two branches ( 2, 3 ) connected in parallel in a current path and having each at least two contact members ( 4-7 ) connected in series. A semiconductor device ( 8 ) is adapted to interconnect the midpoints between the two contact members of each branch. When opening the current path a first contact member ( 5 ) of one, first branch located before said midpoint as seen in the current direction existing is controlled to open and a second contact member ( 6 ) of the second branch located after the midpoint as seen in the current direction is controlled to open for transferring the current to a temporary current path through the semiconductor device. The current path through the switching device is then broken when the semiconductor device is in a blocking state by opening a contact member ( 4, 7 ) of the switching device arranged in the temporary current path.</p>
