Switch assembly and method of operating same

A switch assembly for use with power equipment, the switch assembly comprising:

• a housing assembly defined by a first and second housing position;
• a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within said first and second housing positions to alter the operation of power equipment;
• a circuit comprising:
• a first switch corresponding to the first housing position;
• a second switch corresponding to the second housing position;
• and
• a microcontroller to receive and process signals, wherein the first and second switches detect the presence and position of the actuator in the first and second housing positions such to alter a signal to the microcontroller,
• wherein a signal from the first switch indicating the actuator is in a first housing position enables at least one component of the power equipment, and a signal from the second switch indicates the actuator is in the second housing position enabling a microcontroller to execute instructions controlling at least one component of the power equipment.

A method for using a switch assembly to activate power equipment comprising:

• inserting a removable actuator into a first housing position of a housing assembly;
• activating a first switch corresponding to the first housing position, the switch to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment;
• inserting the removable actuator into the second housing position of a housing assembly;
• and
• activating a second switch corresponding to the second housing position, the second switch to provide a control signal enabling the microcontroller to execute instructions to operate at least one component of the power equipment.