Abstract: A microwave switch employs a slender reed contact which bridges across a pair of microwave probe ends to permit microwave signals to pass therebetween. The reed contact is connected to one end of a dielectric actuator post and a permanent magnet is affixed to a headed end of the post, a medial portion of the post extending through a microwave housing wall. A cup-shaped bushing preferably made of a polyimide plastic and a lubricating filler such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, surrounds the edge and bottom periphery of the magnet and the post head and reciprocates on an inner periphery of a steel ring clamping an iron washer in a housing wall counterbore. The magnet is statically magnetically attracted to the iron washer moving the attached post and reed contact into bridging contact with the microwave probes to form a path for microwave signals between the probes. A solenoid is positioned above the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A switching mechanism actuated into first and second positions by application of current through appropriate respective electromagnets includes a switch structure which insures that current is cut off to the actuating electromagnet upon switching having taken place to a chosen state.