Abstract: A magnetic switch has a substantially closed casing. A conductive plate with an electrical contact is fixedly mounted in the casing. Another conductive plate has an electrical contact mounted thereon and is mounted inside the casing for pivoting or sliding movement. Magnetic members, such as permanent magnets, one on the movable plate and one outside the casing urge the movable plate to a contact engaging position when the outside magnetic member is brought proximate to the casing, and a spring is used to restore the movable plate to its non-engaging position when the outside magnetic member is moved away from the casing.