A timed contact switch apparatus has a conventional pushbutton placing a main switch in an actuated state when the pushbutton is depressed. A timing circuit is activated by the pushbutton to provide power to activate an electromechanical latch which holds the main switch in its actuated state while the timing circuit times out. Preferably the timing circuit operation is initiated by output of a Hall sensor which is controlled by a magnet whose position is mechanically linked to the position of the pushbutton.
