Abstract: A load break interrupter includes a case, an arc-suppressing tube mounted on and projecting outwardly from the case, a shunt circuit rod slidably supported in the tube with the rod and tube having electrical contacts mounted thereto and convertible between make and break conditions upon sliding of the rod into and from the tube, and a shunt circuit break actuating mechanism disposed in the case and coupled with a leading end of the rod extending into the case such that upon tripping of the actuating mechanism from a shunt circuit-defining position to a shunt circuit-breaking position the rod is pulled partially into the case from the tube thereby breaking the shunt circuit through the rod and between the electrical contacts such that any arcing that occurs upon breaking of the shunt circuit is confined and suppressed inside the tube.