Abstract: A spring-powered drive assembly for opening and closing a switch such as one forming part of a high-voltage switch gear apparatus is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. The apparatus includes a drive arm which is adapted for connection with the switch to be opened and closed and movable in response to a certain minimum force from a first position to a second position, whereby to open the switch, and from the second position back to the first position, whereby to close the switch. The power required for moving the drive arm between these two extreme positions is provided by means of a single straight coil spring charged and discharged in one specific way to move the drive arm in one direction and charged and then discharged in a second way to move the drive arm in the opposite direction.