A direct current circuit breaker includes: a positive supply line between a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal; a negative supply line between a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal connecting a direct current load to a supply; a series connection of a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in the positive supply line, and a second galvanic separation switch in the negative supply line; a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch; and a series connected inductor in the positive supply line. The first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch, and the semiconductor switch element are controlled using a processing unit.