The invention relates to a short-circuiting device for use in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems for the protection of parts and personnel, comprising a switching element, which can be actuated by the tripping signal of a fault detection device, two mutually opposite contact electrodes having power supply means, wherein contact can be made with said contact electrodes at a circuit having connections at different potentials, furthermore the contact electrodes, under mechanical prestress, carry out a relative movement in relation to one another in the event of a short-circuit assisted by spring force, and a further part short-circuits the contact electrodes in a relative movement with respect to said contact electrodes, a sacrificial element as the spacer between the contact electrodes and having an electrical connection between the sacrificial element and the switching element,; on the one hand, and one of the contact electrodes, on the other hand, in order to bring about thermal destruction of the sacrificial element in a targeted manner owing to current flow. In a first embodiment of the invention, the sacrificial element is a thin-walled hollow cylinder consisting of a high-melting metallic material. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sacrificial element is a wire or rod consisting of a conductive material having a low melting integral, wherein the sacrificial element is under mechanical prestress under tension in contrast to the first embodiment.