Ribbon switch construction consists of a bottom conductor separated by an insulating strip from an upper conductor, all in an insulating housing. The design is self-bottoming, so the linkages, mountings, or interfaces of conventional sensing switches are unnecessary. Simple pressure completes the electrical contact. Life expectancy is over 3 million operations at any point.

Ribbon switch is manufactured in a continuous process capable of producing a single switch thousands of feet long. It is then cut to length and terminated, as required, to make the finished product. Many mounting options are available, including aluminum or PVC channel, self-adhesive backing and doubled-side foam tapes.