Integrated switching assemblies for a fuel cell stack

A switch assembly for selectively enabling current flow through a segment of a fuel cell stack, comprising:

• a fuel cell stack including:
• a first bipolar plate including a first non-conductive substrate having a first conductive path extending therethrough and that is in electrical communication with a first segment of said fuel cell stack;
• a second bipolar plate including a second non-conductive substrate having a second conductive path extending therethrough and that is in electrical communication with a second segment of said fuel cell stack;
• and
• a first switch operably disposed between said first bipolar plate and said second bipolar plate and in electrical communication with said first conductive path and said second conductive path;
• wherein said first switch in an open mode prohibits current flow between said first conductive path and said second conductive path and in a closed mode enables current flow between said first conductive path and said second conductive path.