A method for operating an electrical switching device and an electrical switching device are disclosed. In order to ensure reliable operation of an electrical switching device having parallel switching paths allocated to a phase, which have lower switching capacity in comparison to conventional parallel switching paths, the zero current crossings in the phase are detected and at least one switching mechanism, operatively connected to the switching paths, is actuated so that all parallel switching paths allocated to the phase open within a window of time which is in the phase relative to the zero current crossings.