Abstract: The invention relates to a manually controlled static switch. This switch comprises a body having a slot with a base wall, bordered on either side by first and second recesses, so that the slot has at least two walls transparent to electromagnetic radiation positioned laterally with respect to the base wall and which are substantially parallel to one another, an electromagnetic radiation beam emitter disposed in the first recess, so as to be able to supply beams to said second recess, a radiation--sensitive receiver located in the second recess and which detects the beams, the receiver emitting an output signal having two different levels depending on whether the receiver does or does not receive the beam.