An electrical switch includes a gas-insulated tube, a contact system in the tube having fixed and movable contacts, a contact operating element passed out of the tube and movable along an actuation direction for opening and closing the system, and a contact pressure spring movable along the direction, connected to the operating element and an external drive element and disposed in a stationary guide part. The guide part guides the operating element. If the drive element shifts along the direction toward the fixed contact, the spring, operating element and movable contact move toward the fixed contact, closing the system and compressing the spring providing contact pressure force. The spring is in a housing connected to the operating element and movable relative to the guide part. A guide element is attached outside the housing, bears against the guide part, guides the housing and guides the operating element along the direction.