The term switch refers to devices used to interrupt or change the flow or course of electrons in a circuit either completely on or open, or completely off or closed. These include toggles, pushbuttons, selectors, joysticks, and level actuator limit, proximity, speed, pressure, temperature, liquid level, and liquid flow switches.

A switch also refers to electrical devices commonly electromechanical by nature used to control continuity between two points. These may be hand switches actuated by human touch, limit switches actuated by machine motion, and process switches actuated by changes in the physical processes of temperature, level, flow, etc.

Electronic switching technology has finer switching techniques in the research and development laboratories, and markets around the world. These range from a simple electrical switch or a simple semiconductor switch or a transistor with contacts, actuators, and contact arrangements, to biased switches, intermediate switches, multi-way switching, and special types of centrifugal switches, DIP switches, hall-effect switches, inertial switches, membrane switches, toggle switches, transfer switches, and Mindy switches. This section of electricals.easy2source.com deals with complex logical switching circuits.