A monitoring system includes a frame, a fixed contact, a moveable contact, a drive mechanism, and a linkage mechanism, wherein the fixed contact is fixed in position with respect to the frame, and wherein the linkage mechanism is coupled to the drive and the moveable contact, and wherein activation of the drive is configured to move the linkage mechanism such that the moveable contact is moved towards or away from the fixed contact, and wherein the monitoring system comprises a sensor system having a position sensor and a processor, the position sensor configured to be positioned with respect to the frame and the linkage mechanism such that lateral movement of a part of the linkage mechanism generates at least one displacement signal; and the processor configured to convert the at least one displacement signal to a displacement movement of the moveable contact toward or away from the fixed contact.