Abstract: A general purpose, alternating current wall switch is provided with a rocker handle having an extremely light feel resulting from the fact that the angular distance or throw between the opposite extreme positions thereof is very small, on the order of about 20 degrees in a preferred embodiment. Throw of the handle through the noted small angular distance is effective, however, to operate a contact actuator through a much larger angular distance to assure a proper mechanical and electrical function, the distance through which the contact actuator rocks in a preferred embodiment being on the order of about 50 degrees. The mechanical advantage is produced by a loose, lost motion interengagement between the rocker handle and the contact actuator, both of which are mounted to rock about spaced, separate pivot axes.