In an embodiment a switching device includes two fixed contacts and a rotary contact bridge in a switching chamber in a gas-tight region, wherein the rotary contact bridge is rotatable about an rotation axis, wherein, in a first switching state, the fixed contacts are electrically conductively connected by the rotary contact bridge, wherein, in a second switching state, the rotary contact bridge is rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the first switching state, and the fixed contacts are electrically insulated from one another, and wherein the gas-tight region includes H2.