A tripping device for switches (1) is equipped with a magnet yoke (16), an armature element (18) that works herewith to actuate a tripping shaft (14), and a lever element (23) that can be tilted about the axis (15) of the tripping shaft for adjusting the distance (L) between the magnet yoke and the armature element. This tripping device finds application in a switch contact arrangement with a plurality of switch contacts (1) arranged adjacent to one another wherein the lever element (23) consists of an adjusting shaft that extends parallel to the axis (15) of the tripping shaft (14) and on which are arranged a plurality of adjusting arms (24) corresponding to the number of switch contacts.