An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Small, low-profile magnetic switch assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) include a base (38, 78, 156) equipped with first and second laterally spaced apart switch electrodes, indentations (62, 102, 158) between the electrodes, and electrically conductive movable components (72, 110, 166), which are magnetically shiftable between a first switch position in simultaneous contact with the base electrodes, and a second switch position out of such simultaneous contact. The switch position of the component (72, 110, 166) is determined by the magnetic field conditions experienced by the component (72, 110, 166). The indentations (62, 102, 158) and associated shiftable components (72, 110, 166) permit the assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) to be constructed as comparatively tiny units, which may be mounted on circuit boards.

A door latch includes a latch bolt and strike plate capable of transferring electricity therebetween. The latch bolt and strike plate may each include one or more complementary electrical leads such that electrical power and/or electrical signals may flow between the complementary electrical leads, when the electrical leads are in contact with one another.