The invention relates to a switching device for the switching of the power supply of a high-powered load of a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle electric system connector to be connected to the vehicle electric system of a motor vehicle, a load connector to be connected to the load, a control input for the activating of the switching device by means of an external control signal, a power semiconductor that is arranged as switch between the vehicle electric system connector and the load connector and an control unit for the control of the power semiconductor, being the control unit arranged between the control input of the switching device and a control input of the power semiconductor.