Fuse and relay box in a motor vehicle

A fuse and relay box for a motor vehicle having an insulating housing (1), an electrical circuit (5), and a switching device (3). The housing (1) having a cover (2) that moves between an open position and a closed position. The electrical circuit (5) is contained in the housing (1), connected to a motor vehicle electrical system connection (4) and has electrical components. The switching device (3) has a contact bridge (33) that connects the vehicle electrical system connection (4) to the electrical circuit (5) when the cover (2) is moved to a closed position and disconnects the vehicle electrical system connection (4) to the electrical circuit (5) when the cover (2) is moved to an open position. The switching device (3) is coupled to a sensor element (31) for detecting whether the cover (2) is in the open or closed position.