An externally operable electronic switch which is entirely located within a housing but which is in no way mechanically or physically attached to the inside or the outside of the housing, has no moving parts, nothing to wear out, requires no holes or special treatments to the housings of equipment into which it may be incorporated and has no optical parts to fog or become dirty which could lead to unreliable operation is disclosed. The switch is operated without mechanical force. It is unnecessary to touch anything to operate it and it consumes extremely low stand by power. It is suited for sealed and portable battery operated equipment.