A fusible disconnect switch device comprising: a switch housing configured to accept a pluggable fuse module; a line side terminal (63, 78) and a load side terminal in the switch housing; a switch actuator selectively positionable between an opened position and a closed position; and a slider assembly linked to the switch actuator and responsive to a position of the switch actuator to effect a switch closing operation or a switch opening operation; wherein the slider assembly comprises: a first slider element and a second slider element each slidably movable with respect to the switch housing along a coincident linear axis, wherein the first slider element is independently movable relative to the second slider element in a first stage of the switch closing operation and in a first stage of the switch opening operation, the first slider element is driven to move by the switch actuator while the second slider element remains stationary in the first stage of the switch closing operation, and the second slider element is driven to move by the first slider element in a second stage of the switch closing operation and in a second stage of the switch opening operation; a first bias element (104, 106) acting on the first slider element and a second bias element (144, 146) acting on the second slider element, wherein the second bias element (144, 146) is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch closing operation and is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch opening operation; and wherein the second slider element carries at least one switch contact (74, 76) to make or break an electrical connection to one of the line side terminal (63, 78) and the load side terminal, and wherein the first and second bias elements (144, 146) each provide an opening force in the second stage of the switch opening operation. a switch housing configured to accept a pluggable fuse module; a line side terminal (63, 78) and a load side terminal in the switch housing; a switch actuator selectively positionable between an opened position and a closed position; and a slider assembly linked to the switch actuator and responsive to a position of the switch actuator to effect a switch closing operation or a switch opening operation; wherein the slider assembly comprises: a first slider element and a second slider element each slidably movable with respect to the switch housing along a coincident linear axis, wherein the first slider element is independently movable relative to the second slider element in a first stage of the switch closing operation and in a first stage of the switch opening operation, the first slider element is driven to move by the switch actuator while the second slider element remains stationary in the first stage of the switch closing operation, and the second slider element is driven to move by the first slider element in a second stage of the switch closing operation and in a second stage of the switch opening operation; a first bias element (104, 106) acting on the first slider element and a second bias element (144, 146) acting on the second slider element, wherein the second bias element (144, 146) is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch closing operation and is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch opening operation; and a first slider element and a second slider element each slidably movable with respect to the switch housing along a coincident linear axis, wherein the first slider element is independently movable relative to the second slider element in a first stage of the switch closing operation and in a first stage of the switch opening operation, the first slider element is driven to move by the switch actuator while the second slider element remains stationary in the first stage of the switch closing operation, and the second slider element is driven to move by the first slider element in a second stage of the switch closing operation and in a second stage of the switch opening operation; a first bias element (104, 106) acting on the first slider element and a second bias element (144, 146) acting on the second slider element, wherein the second bias element (144, 146) is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch closing operation and is mechanically isolated from the switch actuator in the first stage of the switch opening operation; and wherein the second slider element carries at least one switch contact (74, 76) to make or break an electrical connection to one of the line side terminal (63, 78) and the load side terminal, and wherein the first and second bias elements (144, 146) each provide an opening force in the second stage of the switch opening operation.