Switching devices having a contact point, and an arc extinguishing chamber are used to blow switch arcs. The arc extinguishing chamber may have an exit opening through which plasma, generated inside the switching device by a switch arc developing when the contact point opens, exits out of the switching device. Inside the extinguish chamber a first arc guide plate may be provided that extends from the contact point toward the exit opening and which guides and stretches the switch arc. The switch arc may be initially stretched beyond the dimensions of the exit opening by the first arc guide plate and then the stretching may be reduced to be within the dimensions of the exit opening by an arc guide pin projecting from the first arc guide plate.