Abstract: A power circuit breaker controller and its method of use. Surge voltages associated with the closing of a high voltage circuit breaker for a polyphase alternating current line are lowered substantially by our invention. Although several lines and phases are involved, each is considered and operated independently of the other. All lines have preinserted closing resistors, to reduce the surge voltages, that are preinserted in parallel across the main contacts of each phase one step prior to the main contact closing. Between the resistor switch closings certain staggering takes place. For example, if 3 phases are involved the resistor closings are staggered by about 60 or more electrical degrees. Further, there is circuitry to insure that the polarity of the bus side phase-to-ground voltage is of the same polarity as the trapped charges on the corresponding phases on the line side of the breaker when the resistor switch contacts are engaged.