Abstract: A two-pole make-before-break switch includes a base housing, a cover member secured to the base housing, an actuating member disposed above the cover member, and first and second contact assemblies mounted on an interior portion of the base housing. The first contact assembly includes a normally-open common contact blade member that is closed prior to the closing of another set of normally-open contacts with a snap action in a second contact assembly so as to complete an electrical connection. The switch is operable by depressing the actuator member either in a first direction to effect a manual-up mode of operation or in a second direction to effect down modes of operation.