An electrical shorting switch assembly for use with an electrolytic cell includes a plurality of parallel path electrical switches. One of the switches is an arching switch which is designed to be a last-to-open and last-to-close switch of the assembly. A common rotatable operating shaft is used to actuate opening and closing of the electrical switches. The arc switch has separate linking means between the arc switch and the shaft which permits sequental operation of the arc switch relative to the main current-carrying switch or switches. The arc switch linking means in conjunction with the linking means for the current switches determine that the arc switch is the last to open and last to close.