[en] The application of crossed magnetic fields to a glow discharge operated on the low pd-side of the Paschen minimum, leads to a decrease in breakdown strength and resistivity of the discharge plasma. If the gas pressure is such that pd is on the high side of the Paschen minimum, the application of a crossed magnetic field has the opposite effect. In this pd-range, where the characteristic of the discharge is determined by electron-molecule collisions, rather than by electrode (γ) processes, the applied magnetic field causes a change in the rate coefficients and transport properties of the plasma, such that breakdown field strength and resistivity is increased. It was shown by means of Monte Carlo calculations for electrons in He:SF/sub 6/ mixtures that the application of crossed magnetic fields shifts the electron energy distribution towards lower energy values. Consequently, through the change in the rate coefficients for ionization and attachment the sustaining field in the discharge plasma is increased. This magnetically induced voltage rise was studied in a coaxial glow discharge. Comparing the computationally obtained values for the voltage drop across the positive column and the measured voltages across the discharge it is apparent that processes in the cathode fall region strongly influence the characteristic of the magnetically controlled discharge. A drastic rise of the cathode fall above a value of B = 0.25 T is observed. This effect can be utilized in operating a magnetically controlled discharge as an opening switch in an inductive energy storage system