Electrical switch

An on-off switch and a dimmer for an electrical load such as an electric light. The on-off switch comprises a source and detector of infra-red radiation for controlling on-off circuitry and a load switch. The on-off switch is activated by passing one's hand close to and in front of the source and detector. This action activates the on-off circuitry to control the load switch to turn the light on. A second pass of the hand turns the light off. A second source and detector of infra-red radiation and dimmer circuitry are provided for dimming purposes. Dimming action is achieved by placing one's hand close to and in front of the second source and detector to activate the dimmer circuitry to sequentially control the load switch to change the brightness level of the light. The dimming sequence is stopped when the desired brightness level is reached by moving the hand away from the second source and detector. Touching of the switch case is not required to activate the switch for on-off purposes or for dimming purposes. In another embodiment, two sources and a common detector are employed as part of two on-off switches for allowing independent control of two loads. In a further embodiment, two sources and a common detector are employed as part of an on-off and dimmer switch for controlling a single load.