The present invention is directed to an inductively driven electromagnetic linear actuator arrangement employing eddy currents induced in an armature by a drive coil to drive the armature. Eddy current focusing fields (Lorentz force) are employed to direct the induced eddy currents to maximize armature speed. The armature includes a shorted driven coil in a DC magnetic field that focuses eddy currents induced by the drive coil in the driven coil. The DC magnetic field can be supplied by one or more permanent magnets. When current is applied to the drive coil, a force is felt by the driven coil in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field, causing armature movement. Such an actuator is well suited for electrical switching applications including transfer switching applications, circuit breaker applications, and ground fault interrupter applications.