A switching unit for an electrical switch is disclosed. In an embodiment, the switching unit includes at least one fixed contact and one moveable contact with a current feed, which in order to close or open the current path are respectively brought into mechanical contact with each other or mechanically or magnetically separated from each other. The switching unit further includes at least one extinguishing plate, which affects an electrical arc created when the electrical contacts are opened. The current feed to the moveable contact is designed such that in the open position it directs the current along the electrical arc in the opposite direction to the current direction of the arc.