An exemplary switching device connects and disconnects a power line to and from, respectively, at least an associated electrical load. The switching device includes at least one phase of the switching device having a housing that includes a movable contact configured to be coupled to and separated from a corresponding fixed contact, wherein the at least one phase of the switching device includes an electrically semiconducting assembly having an insulating support operatively associated with a plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein the plurality of semiconductor devices are connected in series and are electrically connected to said fixed contact and to said movable contact, and wherein the semiconducting assembly is configured to be installed into the housing to surround at least a portion of at least one of said fixed contact the movable contact when it is coupled to the fixed contact.