Actuator movement detector for medium and high voltage switches having a primary actuator in series with a secondary actuator

For a hybrid circuit interrupter that includes a secondary actuator disposed in series with a primary actuator, with the primary actuator used for opening the switch at ultra-fast speeds and the secondary actuator used for opening the switch at normal speeds, a performance monitoring system is disclosed. The monitoring system can use either an optical sensor or position sensitive device (PSD) to detect movement of the primary actuator. The optical sensor is coupled to the circuit interrupter housing, and a distance detection means is disposed within the secondary actuator in a manner that enables the optical sensor to detect the movement of a reference surface on the moving assembly of the primary actuator. The PSD is positioned to face a thru-hole formed in a drive shaft of the circuit interrupter, and to sense a change in position of light emitted through the thru-hole during an opening stroke.