The present invention relates to an electrical switching apparatus having at least one contact point, an arc-quenching device associated with the contact point, and an arc-blowing device to generate a magnetic blowout field. The arc-quenching device comprises a plurality of quenching elements, which are arranged distributed and spaced from each other in a first direction, wherein the quenching elements each comprise a permanent magnet. The arc arising when the contact point is opened is blown away from the contact point towards the quenching elements by the magnetic blowout field. The magnetic blowout field is at least partially generated or supported by the permanent magnets of the quenching elements. According to the invention, the permanent magnets of the quenching elements are offset with respect to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.