Disclosed in a high voltage switch operating mechanism which utilizes energy stored in a spiral spring to drive the high voltage switches from either the open to the closed or the closed to the open position. The spring can be charged either by a manual tool or by an electric motor. The switch can be tripped by either electric or manual trip mechanisms. Manual and electric trip interlock assemblies are provided to prevent the switch operating mechanism from being tripped either manually or electrically while the spring is being charged. A mechanism is provided to prevent the charging of the spring by the electric motor when the manual tool is used to charge the spring. Another mechanism is provided to decouple the operating mechanism from the switch. To allow testing of the operating mechanism without change of the switch state. The decoupling mechanism locks the switch to its present position before the decoupling is complete allowing the energy in the operating spring to be dissipated.