The present invention describes a compact operating mechanism with cams for a switching device with, preferably, a tripolar insulating rod. The said mechanism is so designed that the force on and the speed of the said tripolar insulating rod is continually increasing with time till the end of the operation. The said mechanism consists of cams mounted on a shaft which is rotated under the influence of springs which have crossed their dead points. This shaft with cams then moves against rollers mounted on the cranks of a slider and crank arrangement of links, where the function of the slider is being served by the tripolar insulating rod. All the operations after the closing springs have crossed their dead points are high speed in nature. A latching arrangement is used to keep the mechanism in closed position till opening.