Disconnecting device (30, 30') for a battery comprising several interconnected battery cells (21, 22, 23, 24) and a first and a second power supply connection (18, 19), wherein the disconnecting device (30, 30') comprises a disconnecting element (31), in particular a pyrotechnic disconnecting element (31), with which the battery cells (21, 22, 23, 24) or a part thereof can be disconnected from at least one power supply connection (18, 19) in the event of a
short circuit, and wherein the disconnecting device (30, 30') further comprises a passive current- or
voltage-
controlled release circuit (32) which is connected in parallel to one or more battery cells (21, 22, 23, 24), wherein the release circuit (32) is a current-
controlled release circuit and the release element (321) is an
RC circuit (C1, R11, R12) with a
capacitor (C1) serving as a
current source, which is connected in series with at least one series
resistor (R11, R12),wherein the triggering circuit (32) further comprises an ignition circuit (33) connected in parallel to a triggering element, which is adapted to trigger upon a predefined
voltage drop in one or more of the battery cells (21, 22, 23, 24) and to close the current path to the pyrotechnic isolating element (31), and the ignition circuit (33) comprises at least a fuse
resistor (R2) and a
thyristor (T1), characterized in that the triggering circuit (32) is a current-controlled triggering circuit and the fuse
resistor (R2) is smaller than a series resistor (R11, R12).