DURABLE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

A manually operated switch having a sealed cylindrical housing is controlled through a pivotable, radially extending external actuator member and contains a pair of magnetically actuated sets of reed contacts for connection to the electrical circuit with which the switch is associated. A pair of permanent magnets are carried on resilient arms within the housing whereby each may be shifted into an operative position relative to one of the sets of reed contacts upon flexing of the associated arm. The external actuator member is disposed on an axle which extends into the housing through a circular seal and bearing to connect with a parallel internal actuator that bears against either of the resilient arms according to the direction of pivoting. This enables external actuator movement to be transmitted into the housing in the form of purely rotational motion through the circular seal thereby simplifying sealing problems and minimizing wear to provide a compact rugged and long lived mechanism.