A switching apparatus is provided herein. The switching apparatus includes: (i) a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal and a ground terminal, (ii) a first contact arrangement including a first fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, (iii) a second contact arrangement including a second fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, (iv) a vacuum chamber wherein the second fixed contact and the second movable contact are enclosed and can be coupled or decoupled, and (v) an electrically conductive coupling lever pivoted on the second movable contact member and reversibly movable about a second rotation axis.