An electrical switch unit for use with a variable speed electrical device includes a housing for a pair of electrical switching contacts, and an actuator operably connected with one of those contacts. A signaling module is associated with the electrical switch unit, and has signaling circuitry for sensing the movement of the actuator and outputting a signaling module signal indicative of the sensed movement or position of the actuator. A power module with a power switching device controllably supplies power from the DC power source to the DC motor at a speed corresponding to the sensed movement or position of the actuator. A control module receives the signaling module signal, and outputs a control module signal to control the power module.