A current pause device configured to enhance the operation of transmission and distribution line circuit interrupters by delaying the voltage build across the circuit interrupter arc gap for a time period sufficient to allow the dielectric characteristic of the medium within the arc to recover. This allows the circuit interrupter to break the circuit at a lower arc gap voltage than would occur without the current pause device. The current pause device includes a conductive arcing horn and an insulator interposed in the arcing horn to create a conductive gap in the arcing horn and a voltage protection arrangement to limit the voltage across the current pause device and thereby prevent a voltage breakdown across the current pause device. Specifically, the voltage protection arrangement includes a diode connected to the arcing horn in parallel with the insulator and a dielectric spark gap device connected in parallel across the insulator.