The present invention provides a vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter includes a vacuum bottle housing having an interior and an exterior, and at least one vacuum bottle positioned within the interior of the vacuum bottle housing. The at least one vacuum bottle includes axially separable contacts within it, including at least one moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes an operating mechanism including a clevis configured to reciprocate the moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes a seal between the vacuum bottle housing and the operating mechanism sealing the operating mechanism from the interior of the vacuum bottle, wherein the seal includes a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the clevis and the second end coupled to the vacuum bottle housing.