METHOD FOR SWITCHING OFF A FUEL CELL STACK, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM

The invention relates to a method for switching off a fuel cell system () having The method comprises the steps of: (a) Maintenance of the cathode chambers () under excess pressure while preventing a flow of cathode operating gas through the cathode chambers () while keeping the cathode operating gas that is present in the cathode chambers () oxygen-depleted; (b) Expansion of the oxygen-depleted cathode operating gas present in the cathode chambers () via the cathode supply path () [sic] and/or the cathode exhaust path (), and (c) Separation of the cathode chambers () from the environment.