Combined high voltage discharging and grounding device with a discharging unit with a first electric contact and a first counter-contact as well as a grounding unit with a second electric contact and a second counter contact. The first electric contact and the second electric contact are provided on a movable member which is movable by way of a drive along a path of movement from an open position to a close position. An electric contact between the first electric contact and the first counter-contact is established in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position of the movable member when closing the discharging and grounding device in an operating state of the discharging and grounding device while the second electric contact is electrically still disconnected from the second counter contact.