FIELD: electricity.SUBSTANCE: control device for the average voltage electric distribution protective gear comprises an electrical switching unit including at least one opening actuation component (7) and at least one closing actuation component that are configured to transmit the control command on at least one contact opening component (15) and at least one closing contact component (12), respectively, via a mechanical connection. The device also includes means for the mechanical communication interrupting. The closing component (12) and the opening component (15) are arranged substantially facing the actuating component (6) of the manual closing and the actuating component (5) of the manual opening respectively. The mechanical link includes a part (24) attached to the closing component (12) which comprises a retractable element (25) made movable between the first position in which the element is configured to interact with the actuator (18) of the actuating component (6) and the second position in which th
