rings 40 42 are positioned around a respective actuating plunger element 32 34 and within the switch housing 24 in proximity to a respective opening 36 38 in the switch housing 24 a first of the actuating plunger elements 32 has a larger diameter than the second actuating plunger element 34 the first actuating plunger element 32 also includes a recess 44 in one end thereof the second actuating plunger element 34 is positioned so that one end extends into the recess 44 the two actuating plunger elements 32 34 are thus connected in a telescoping manner also within the recess 44 is a compression spring 46 the compression spring 46 is positioned between a base 48 of the recess 44 and the second actuating plunger element 34 and holds the actuating plunger elements 32 34 at a working distance from one another through the spring force the compression spring 46 exerts a force on the first plunger element 32 towards the opening 36 and on the second plunger element 34 towards the opening 38 in the switch housing 24 in order to hold the actuating plunger elements 32 34 within the switch housing 24 the snap rings 40 42 limit the outward movement of the respective actuating plunger elements 32 34 and are of a diameter larger than the openings 36 38 the snap rings 40 42 are positioned proximate to and exert a force on respective inner walls 33 35 of the switch housing 24.