The present application relates to a coil actuator for low and medium voltage applications, which comprise a electromagnet operatively associated with a movable plunger, a power & control unit electrically connected with the electromagnet and first and second input terminals (T1, T2) operatively connected with the power & control unit, wherein an input voltage (VIN) is applied between the first and second input terminals during the operation of the coil actuator. The power & control unit is adapted to provide subsequent launch pulses of drive current (IC) to the electromagnet, which are separated in time by at least a predetermined time interval (TI), in response to subsequent transitions of the input voltage (VIN) from values lower than the first threshold voltage (VTH1) to values higher than the first threshold voltage.