Abstract: Synchronous circuit interruption is provided by operation of a diversion circuit for diverting most of the circuit current away from a pair of series-connected electrical contacts over to a solid state current interrupter prior to energizing a contact operator to separate the contacts to interrupt the remaining circuit current. To ensure arcless contact separation, the contact operator is arranged electrically in series with the solid state current interrupter which ultimately dissipates the system energy within a voltage dependent element. The arrangement of the contact operator circuit in series with the solid state current interrupter synchronizes the operation of the contact operator to ensure that the contacts are separated immediately after the circuit current has become diverted.