Abstract: In a thermal switch for temperature control of electrical heating apparatus, a contact reed is integral with a terminal and is rigid except for a relatively short longitudinal area so that, when the contact reed is acted upon by a bimetallic disk spring, a hinge type movement of the contact reed will result.The integral rigid design of this component designed as terminal and contact reed makes keeping the geometric conditions within the thermal switch, especially the space between the contact reed and the bimetallic disk spring, at closer tolerances, much easier than with prior leaf springs used as a contact reed. Accomplished thereby is a more dependable switching performance and thus a quality improvement in large-scale manufacture and a reduction in manufacturing costs.