Circuit interruption device

A switching element (26) comprising: an extinguishing branch (28); a switching branch (30) including at least one semiconductor switch (34) switchable to selectively allow current to flow in the switching branch (30) or commutate current from the switching branch (30) to the extinguishing branch (28) in order to absorb and dissipate energy; and an auxiliary switching control unit (32) to control the switching of the or each semiconductor switch (34), wherein the extinguishing branch (28) includes: a snubber circuit (36) including an energy storage limb (40), wherein the energy storage limb (40) includes first and second energy storage limb portions separated by a first junction (46) to define a first voltage divider, and each energy storage limb portion includes at least one energy storage device (48,50); and an arrester limb (38) connected across the energy storage limb (40), wherein the arrester limb (38) includes first and second arrester limb portions separated by a second junction (52) to define a second voltage divider, and each arrester limb portion includes at least one arrester element (54,56), wherein the first and second junctions (46,52) are connected to define a voltage divider bridge, and the voltage divider bridge is electrically coupled to the auxiliary switching control unit (32) so as to provide, in use, a driving voltage to drive the auxiliary switching control unit (32).