A switching device, for a wye-delta switch in a multiphase motor each phase having one motor winding having a connection pair and contact device (CD), has an electromagnetic drive for drive axle movement between three axial positions, the CD having first and second motor winding connection contacts (MWCC), phase connection contact (PCC), and movable contact bridge (MCB) coupled to the drive axle and movable thereby into the three positions. In position-1, axially between positions-2/3, the MCB is open—no CC is connected to another CC by the MCB; in position-2, the MCB is in ‘wye’ contact position—the MCB connects the PCC to the first MWCC, and the second MWCC is connected to the second MWCC of all other CDs using the ‘wye’ coupled to the drive axle; and in position-3, the MCB is in a ‘delta’ contact position—the MCB connects the FCC to the first and second MWCC.