A high voltage DC circuit interrupter comprising: a first stationary contact and a first moveable contact forming a first set of contacts, said first moveable contact positioned on a first moveable contact arm and adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said first stationary contact; a second stationary contact and a second moveable contact forming a second set of contacts in series with the first set of contacts, said second moveable contact positioned on a second moveable contact arm and adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said second stationary contact; a first terminal coupled to said first stationary contact; a second terminal coupled to said second stationary contact; a first linkage coupled to said first moveable contact arm and a second linkage coupled to said second moveable contact arm; a housing in which said first and second set of contacts and said first and second linkages are positioned; an overcurrent measurement device coupled between with said first and second sets of contacts, wherein said overcurrent measurement device is adapted to actuate said first and second linkages (108, 110) in an overcurrent condition such that both said first and second sets of contacts are simultaneously opened during an overcurrent condition; characterized in that the circuit interrupter further comprises: a first arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said first set of contacts; a second arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said second set of contacts; wherein said first and second arc extinguishers (148, 150) each comprise a plurality of vertically stacked arc plates (152, 154); wherein when said first terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said second terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said second set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said second arc extinguisher; wherein when second terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said first terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said first set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said first arc extinguisher. a first stationary contact and a first moveable contact forming a first set of contacts, said first moveable contact positioned on a first moveable contact arm and adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said first stationary contact; a second stationary contact and a second moveable contact forming a second set of contacts in series with the first set of contacts, said second moveable contact positioned on a second moveable contact arm and adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said second stationary contact; a first terminal coupled to said first stationary contact; a second terminal coupled to said second stationary contact; a first linkage coupled to said first moveable contact arm and a second linkage coupled to said second moveable contact arm; a housing in which said first and second set of contacts and said first and second linkages are positioned; an overcurrent measurement device coupled between with said first and second sets of contacts, wherein said overcurrent measurement device is adapted to actuate said first and second linkages (108, 110) in an overcurrent condition such that both said first and second sets of contacts are simultaneously opened during an overcurrent condition; characterized in that the circuit interrupter further comprises: a first arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said first set of contacts; a second arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said second set of contacts; wherein said first and second arc extinguishers (148, 150) each comprise a plurality of vertically stacked arc plates (152, 154); wherein when said first terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said second terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said second set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said second arc extinguisher; wherein when second terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said first terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said first set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said first arc extinguisher. a first arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said first set of contacts; a second arc extinguisher positioned in proximity to said second set of contacts; wherein said first and second arc extinguishers (148, 150) each comprise a plurality of vertically stacked arc plates (152, 154); wherein when said first terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said second terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said second set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said second arc extinguisher; wherein when second terminal is connected to a source of DC electrical power, said first terminal is adapted to be connected to a load, and when an arc is generated between said first set of contacts, the arc is drawn into said first arc extinguisher.