An apparatus for controlling an electric switching device (1) for alternating current arranged in a current path for opening the switching device and for breaking the current in the current path after occurrence of a fault current comprises members (15) adapted to detect the current in the current path and a unit (20) adapted to control the electric switching device to break the current in the current path directly after a half wave of the alternating current having a peak value below a predetermined current limit value, so that the breaking is completed through a zero-crossing of the alternating current terminating a said half wave.