A pyromechanical disconnecting apparatus, in particular for battery shutoff in a motor vehicle, includes a housing (4) in which there is arranged an
electrically conductive conductor
bus (2), which is fashioned so as to be severable at a predetermined
cut position (1) by a
cutting chisel (6) driven by a pyrotechnic
propellant charge. The conductor
bus (2) is clamped in on its side facing away from the
cutting chisel (6) by a locking bolt (5) inserted into the housing (4), and a receiving space (15) is arranged in the locking bolt (5) in the region of the predetermined
cut position (1), into which receiving space the
cutting chisel (6) bends the region of the conductor
bus (2) severed by it, and the locking bolt (5) forms an external surface of the housing (4). In order to diminish
cracking of the locking bolt and housing and for purposes of inspection to determine whether the disconnecting apparatus has tripped, it is proposed that a recess (13) be arranged in the locking bolt (5), which recess transpicuously connects the receiving space (15) with the
atmosphere.