Microelectromechanical switches having mechanically active components which are electrically isolated from components of the switch used for the transmission of signals

A plate-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch is provided which includes a moveable plate suspended above a substrate and a plurality of arms extending from the periphery of the moveable plate. The moveable plate includes a first electrode suspended over a second electrode arranged on the substrate and a first input/output signal contact structure electrically isolated from the first electrode. In some embodiments, the first input/output signal contact structure is arranged proximate to the edge of the moveable plate. In addition or alternatively, one of the arms is electrically coupled to the first input/output signal contact structure and comprises an input/output signal trace. A cantilever-based MEMS switch is provided which includes a cantilever structure with a first electrode suspended a second electrode arranged upon a substrate. In addition, the cantilever structure includes an input/output signal line spaced apart from the first electrode and arranged above an input/output signal contact structure.