Electrical switching apparatus

Electrical switching apparatuses which are provided for mounting in or on mounting surfaces have manual operating elements for direct or indirect operation of their contact points, which normally carry out a rocker-like movement. Accordingly, the manual operating elements also assume a position which is at an angle to the mounting surface and has a disadvantageous effect on the aesthetic impression. A novel switching apparatus has a manual operating element (10) which is guided in a straight line in the associated switching apparatus base (20) and thus always assumes a position parallel to the mounting surface. At least one sliding rail (16), which is connected at right angles to the manual operating element (10) on its rear side (14), is provided for guiding said manual operating element (10). This sliding rail (16) engages in an associated guide (22) in the switching apparatus base (20). In order to operate the contact point, the switching apparatus base (20) has a switching rocker (30) whose first lever arm is acted on by an actuating cam (17) arranged on the manual operating element (10), and on whose second lever arm a restoring spring (19) acts, which allows use as a monostable push-button switch. The novel switching apparatus is used in domestic installation.