SWITCH WITH SNAP-ACTION CLOSURE

A switch includes two interacting contacts (1, 2) and a closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21) for moving the contacts into the closed position, an operating button which can be used to initiate a prestressing phase of the closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21), and a locking device (6) for locking the contacts (1, 2) until a predetermined moment at which the influence of the prestressed closing spring (5, 11, 15, 21) is to be released onto the contacts. The locking device (6) is designated to lock the interacting contacts (1, 2), during the prestressing phase, at a contact distance. The contact distance to be locked being less than the contact distance in the open position of the contacts (1, 2).