A switch has a carrier sheet with electrodes formed on an internal side thereof to form switch contacts. An armature is held in slidable contact with the internal side of the carrier and the electrodes by a magnet disposed on the external surface of the carrier. The magnet is carried in a knob mounted on the external side of the membrane carrier for rotary, linear or complex motion. When a user manipulates the knob the magnet drags the armature either into or out of shorting relation with the electrodes. A magnetic detent gear can be incorporated to provide tactile feedback. A pushbutton version of the switch can be made with a pivotable armature normally held spaced from electrodes on the substrate by a magnet. A membrane and spacer may be added to protect and seal the electrodes and armature.

The invention relates to a control switch and limiter especially for use in an explosive environment, comprising an outer housing (1) made of insulating material, a switch chamber (19) in the outer housing (1) including switching means, an actuator (16) connected to and actuating the switching means, and a movable contact (3) changing its position between fixed contacts (2, 2a) in the said switching means for switching, wherein the improvement is that the actuator (16) comprises a magnetic element generating magnetic forces outside of the outer housing (1), and inside of the outer housing (1) an inner permanent magnet (8) is coupled with the magnetic element and said inner permanent magnet (8) is interconnected with an insulating body (7) guided for actuating the movable contact (3). The device according to the invention ensures higher life duration than the devices according to the art and may be used also in explosive oragressive environment without the risk of breaking down or involving explosion.