US Patent 9875861 Device and method for switching a direct current

A device switches a direct current. The device contains an operating current branch in which a mechanical switch is arranged, a protective switch connected to the operating current branch for interrupting the current flow in the operating current branch, a capacitor branch connected in parallel with the operating current branch in which capacitor branch a capacitor is arranged, and a damping apparatus which has a resistance element. The damping apparatus is arranged in the capacitor branch in series with the capacitor or in the operating current branch in series with the mechanical switch, which damping apparatus can be bypassed by a bypass switch connected in parallel with the damping apparatus.