A single coil actuator for low and medium voltage applications which comprises a single coil electromagnet and a power and control unit operatively connected to said single coil electromagnet. The power and control unit comprises: a first control unit and a second control unit; a power input operatively connected to an input filter and rectifier; a power supply operatively connected to said input filter and rectifier and to said first and second control unit; a power circuit operatively connected to said single coil electromagnet. In the single coil actuator according to the invention, said first control unit is a microcontroller including analogue and digital inputs and outputs, and said second control unit is a PWM controller which controls the current flowing in the single coil electromagnet through said power circuit.