Which switch type opens and closes a circuit by being pushed up and down?

The rocker switch is designed to open and close a circuit by being pushed in an up or down motion. This type of switch typically has a pivot point, allowing one side to move in one direction while the other side moves in the opposite direction. This action completes or breaks the circuit depending on the position of the switch, making it a straightforward and commonly used interface in various electronic applications, including aircraft systems.

In contrast, a rotary switch operates by turning a knob to select different circuit paths or settings, which is fundamentally different from a switch that moves in a linear up-and-down motion. A toggle switch also provides a simple on/off function, but it typically has a lever that moves left and right or up and down in a single position rather than rocking at a pivot point. Lastly, a proximity switch does not require physical contact to operate; instead, it detects the presence of nearby objects or changes in an environment, making it incompatible with the described functionality of pushing up and down to open and close a circuit.