The invention relates to a switching device for overvoltage arresters, consisting of mechanically prestressed first switching elements which have surge current capability and form, with the arrester(s) of the overvoltage arrester, a series circuit of a surge current path, and a fault current path connected to the series circuit. According to the invention, second switching elements are arranged in the fault current path and are mechanically coupled to the first switching elements in such a manner that, in the case of lasting impermissible loads on the arresters of the overvoltage arrester in the surge current path, the first switching element(s) is/are triggered with the consequence of DC isolation of the surge current path from the respective network.