A switching apparatus for an electric grid includes first and second electric terminals, each having first and second electric branches having a plurality of switching devices. The first electric branch includes a first switching device switchable between open and closed states, which is driven by a current flowing along said first switching device and without receiving an external control signal or an external power supply, said first switching device switching from said closed state to said open state, when the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or when the changing rate of the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or upon a combination of these two conditions. A second switching device is connected in series with the first switching device and is switchable between closed and open states upon receiving a corresponding input control signal.