Feature: Switches
Selecting switches for modern-day systems
By Anette Riedl-Materna, Product Manager – Switches, Schurter S
witching electrical energy has always been one of the most important functions in engineering. “Light on/ light off”; “Machine on/machine off”; etc. In the past, the types of technologies switches
harnessed for their operation was limited, so the choice was easy. Tings are rather different today.
Te market offers a wide range of options, especially in the low- voltage sector. Te switching of electrical circuits has been a central element of
energy distribution and usage since the early days of engineering. As early as the discovery of current, pioneers such as Alessandro
22 September 2025
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Volta and Michael Faraday recognised the need to interrupt and enable the flow of electricity in a controlled manner. In the early days, this was achieved with mechanical switches, by manually opening and closing a contact. As industrialisation progressed and electrical devices and systems became more widespread, the importance of reliable and safe switching mechanisms rose exponentially. Switches are not only essential control elements for consumers, but also there to protect systems and people from electrical hazards like short circuits and overloads. Te continuous development of switching technologies is therefore closely linked to the increasing requirements for safety, reliability, efficiency and user friendliness.
Modern switching technologies In the course of time, various switch technologies were developed, based on different physical principles. Today the range encompasses mechanical, electronic, piezoelectric, capacitive, inductive and even more specialised switches – each with its own characteristics, advantages and limitations, and specific suitability for an application.
Schurter MSM RD: Design version of a mechanical stroke switch
Mechanical switches Mechanical switches (see image above) are the most classic, based on physical contacts that open and close by mechanical movement. Tey are usually actuated by pressing, turning or tilting an element.
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