Described herein is a switching apparatus for low or medium voltage electric grids, which includes one or more electric poles. Each electric pole includes: an outer casing defining an internal volume of the electric pole; a fixed contact assembly accommodated in the internal volume of the electric pole and including a fixed contact member extending along a longitudinal axis of the electric pole; at least one movable contact assembly accommodated in the internal volume of the electric pole; an actuation member accommodated in the internal volume of the electric pole and arranged coaxially and externally relative to the fixed contact member, so that the fixed contact member passes through the actuation member along the longitudinal axis. The actuation member is slidingly movable along the fixed contact member. When moving between the first and second actuation positions, the actuation member transiently couples to each trip mechanism to actuate the trip mechanism.