The invention relates to a process for dimensioning an cut-off switch of arresting element for a surge absorber arrester whose switching motion movement is performed by a control tab that is adjusted by a permanently active spring force in the direction opposite to the holding force established by a protective solder. As per the invention, the force of the initial stress affecting the control tab and/or its solder location that generates an unsoldering force and/or a switching force, in addition to a permanently active initial stress, by at least one additional initial prestress force not dependent upon it, as well as supporting a supplementary switching force with an identical direction of flow, whereby its distribution of force is set in such a way at rest that when in rest moderate force affects the soldering location and a resulting force that is as great as possible conducts the switching motion during the unsoldering action.