Abstract: An operator interface panel for electrical switchgear includes a screen that has a first section for displaying a state machine chart indicating a succession of operating states in which the switchgear can function. A second section of the screen displays a plurality of icons each depicting an action that the electrical switchgear can perform in each of the operating states. A manually operated device, such as a touch-panel, is provided to enable a user to select one of the plurality of icons, thereby directing the electrical switchgear to perform the action depicted by the selected icon. The screen has a third section that displays operational parameters associated with the presently active operating state.