Abstract: A ratchet switch including a switch wheel formed from an insulating material and having a plurality of electrically connected contact plates spaced about its periphery. Contact arms are flexed and biased against the switch wheel for establishing a circuit across contacted plates and for breaking said circuit when the wheel is moved to a position wherein the contact arms contact insulating spaces between the plates. At least a portion of each of the arms comprises a cantilever beam fixed at one end and free at the other and curving away from its contact plate from a line of tangency established between the plate and the beam, with any remaining portion of each arm lying in substantially parallel relationship with each plate. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the line of tangency is closer to the edge of the plate adjacent the fixed end of the beam than to the edge of the plate adjacent the free end of the arm.