A rotary switch for insertion in switch panel openings includes a housing (1), knob (3), a detent body (2) for limiting the knob position in the housing, a variable position coupling (7), a switch controlling cam member (8) and spring contact switches (13) retained in fixed position in the housing. Switch followers (12') engage the cams (12) of the cam member (8) to operate the switches in predetermined sequence and modes that can be varied by varying the cam arrangement on the inner and outer surface of the cam member. The switch program can also be varied by varying the relative angular position of the knob relative to the cam member through the variable position coupling.