A device for overvoltage protection

摘要

A device for switching electric power comprising at least one electric switching arrangement. The latter comprises at least one first switch element (10) which represents an electrode gap. The latter is convertible between an electrically substantially insulating state and an electrically conducting state. Furthermore, the switch element comprises means (25) for causing or at least initiating the electrode gap or at least a part thereof to assume electrical conductivity. The means (25) for causing or at least initiating the electrode gap to assume conductivity are adapted to supply energy to the electrode gap in the form of radiation energy to bring the gap or at least a part thereof to the form of a plasma by means of this radiation energy. A second switch element (40) of a mechanical type is arranged to close a shunt line parallelly over the first switch element, such that the voltage loss over the latter is minimised.