An apparatus for controlling a switching device provided for breaking or closing a power line connecting a power source to a load in an electric power system includes a switching timing control unit for controlling the timing to apply a breaking signal to said switching device in response to a breaking signal externally applied thereto so that the contacts of said switching device are opened during a period of time when the current flowing through said power line first reaches its peak value from a zero value and for controlling the timing of applying a closing signal to said switching device in response to a closing command preferably externally applied thereto so that the contacts of said switching device are closed when the voltage of said power source becomes a predetermined value depending upon whether said load is capacitive or inductive, and an operating unit for opening and closing said contacts of said switching device in response to said breaking and closing signals, respectively.