Abstract: A speed switch for a motor has an electrically conductive disc which rotates with the rotor of the motor. A drag member adjacent the disc is mounted for limited pivotal movement and has a permanent magnet linked magnetically with the disc to cause electromagnetic interaction resulting in a force on the drag member which varies with the speed of rotation of the disc. A switch is operated by a movement of the drag member to actuate an alarm or to actuate a protective device for the motor. An improved latching means restrains the drag member from movement until a predetermined rotational speed of the disc is reached. A screw is mounted so that it can be advanced into the gap and withdrawn therefrom to provide a finely adjustable magnetic shunt. The adjustment of the shunt varies the magnetic latching force and thereby the speed causing actuation of the switch.