Touch sensitive switch

A touch sensitive switch for selectively connecting a load to the phase line of a source of alternating voltage comprising:

• a load terminal adapted to be connected to said load,
• a phase terminal adapted to be connected to the phase line of said voltage source,
• a conductive surface,
• a first electrical circuit connected between said conductive surface and ground,
• a first switching device having a control terminal operatively connected to said first circuit and responsive to the voltage therein,
• time delay means connected to said first switching device,
• a first bistable circuit with an output occupying one of first and second states, said bistable circuit switching from said one state to the other of said states in response to current flow in said first switching device,
• a second bistable circuit connected between said first circuit and first bistable circuit, said second bistable circuit having two inputs, the first of said inputs being directly connected to said first switching device and the second of said inputs being connected to said time delay means for receiving a signal conducted by said first switching device after said signal is received at said first input, said second bistable circuit applying to said first bistable circuit a signal pulse of predetermined width in response to current flow in said first circuit, said first bistable circuit switching from said one state to said other state in response to application of said pulse,
• a second switching device adapted to be connected between said phase terminal and load terminal and having a control terminal, said second switching device being normally rendered nonconducting until an actuating voltage exceeding a threshold magnitude is applied to said control terminal, and
• voltage applicator means responsive to said first bistable circuit for applying said actuating voltage to said control terminal of said second switching device only when said first bistable circuit is switched to said second state.