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 There are many different types of switch that are chosen depending on the ultimate use that they are intended top fulfil. A biased switch has a spring that returns the actuator to a certain position after the switch has been flicked. For example a switch could be turned on and the actuator will return to a resting neutral position rather than remain in the on position. The same is for when the circuit is switched off. Other types of single switches include the mercury tilt switch, the knife switch, a centrifugal switch, DIP switch, inertial switch, toggle switches and more.
An interesting question that many people overlook is the decision to wire a switch up or down. In the USA light switches have to be flicked upwards to be turned on and in Europe the reverse happens, the switch is flicked down to complete the circuit. There has been debate as to why this difference in norm evolved but no real conclusion made other than cultural isolation. Interestingly in countries that are susceptible to earthquakes, where a switch could be accidentally switched on when an object falls, the switches are installed so that they toggle left to right rather than up or down.
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