The invention relates to a spring controller for high- or medium-voltage electric switchgear, the controller having a free-wheel coupling device between a crank handle or a motor and the drive shaft (1) for driving a switch contact of the switchgear and respectively providing coupling while the spring(s) (11) is/are being loaded and decoupling while the spring(s) is/are being released. The free-wheel mechanical device is incorporated in a toothed wheel (2) of the controller and includes at least one pawl (7, 70) meshing or not meshing with an inner set of teeth (4) of the toothed wheel (2).