Abstract: A rotary power control unit is capable of functioning as many different switches. The power control unit includes a housing, a shaft-actuator assembly, a circuit board with a variable resistor, and a strap for containing these elements in the housing. The shaft-actuator assembly is rotatably attached to the floor of the housing, and passes through the circuit board and strap where it is connected to a control knob. The shaft is also fastened to a wiper shoe which rotates with the shaft and varies the resistance of the circuit. By interchanging shaft-actuator assemblies, and adding appropriate components to the circuit board, the rotary power control unit may take the form of:a simple rotary control,a rotary control with full-on bypass,a simple push control,a three-way push control, ora tandem push control.