a contact block for an electrical switch includes an insulating housing for a pair of spaced stationary contacts . a movable contact support carrier or stroker carries a bridging member including contacts for engagement with the stationary contacts . biasing means positioned between the stroker and the housing normally biases the carrier in the direction of a projection carried by the stroker , the stroker being actuated by a linear or rotary operator . both normally open and normally closec contact blocks are described .