History Main / BigElectricSwitch

* And in another Australian [=WW1=] movie ''Film/BeneathHill60'', what looks like a knife switch is used to set off the massive mine the tunnellers have planted beneath the German lines.

* ''Film/OurManFlint''. Flint throws several of these in the Galaxy communications room in an attempt to mess up their operations, and throws one to start the shutdown of their WeatherControlMachine.

* In ''WesternAnimation/CatsDontDance'', Darla tries to stop the animals' big musical number by pulling "The Grandaddy Of All Switches." It only makes it more spectacular.

** This adds to the AnachronismStew appearance of the TARDIS console (and slamming big levers also suits the Doctor's hammy persona). At the end of "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS37E4ArachnidsInTheUK Arachnids in the UK]]", the Doctor and his latest companions do a TeamHandStack to pull the lever at the same time, after agreeing to travel in time and space together.

* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-520 SCP-520]] "Knife Switch". When activated it opens or closes the primary power supply circuit of an electrical device somewhere on Earth. This can be anything from a toaster to a fail-safe device in a nuclear reactor.

* In the 24th episode of ''Machinima/FreemansMind'', Gordon comments how he likes how [[VideoGame/HalfLife1 Black Mesa]] uses "big Doctor Frankenstein switches for everything."

%% This image was chosen in Image Pickin' in this thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1303679727011020100
%% Please do not replace it without starting a new Image Pickin' thread.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Comics]]

* In the ''ComicStrip/{{Bizarro}}'' strip for August 27th 2015, a guard is about to pull a switch that will electrocute a prisoner using a hand puppet on his hand. A person nearby says "If that's what it takes to relieve your conscience, maybe you're in the wrong business".

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/CatsDontDance'', Darla tries to stop the animals' big musical number by pulling "The Grandaddy Of All Switches." It only makes it more spectacular.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas''. Jack uses one to turn on his electric chair (which is covered with festive Christmas lights).

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* A classic example-- maybe even the UrExample-- in ''Film/{{Metropolis}}'' with Rotwang's laboratory.
* ''Film/WomanInTheMoon'' (1929). The control panel of the moon rocket resembles something you'd find in a generating station (which would be the most technologically sophisticated installation at the time).
* ''Film/YoungFrankenstein''. During the reanimation of the monster, Igor throws the first two switches with no particular result. When he reluctantly throws the Third Switch (labeled "The Works"), sparks fly out of it and all of the lab equipment goes to full power.
-->'''Igor:''' Not the third switch!
* ''Film/SinCity'': The electric chair used to execute Marv is activated by a Big Electric Switch.

* The ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' have one attached to the containment-grid that holds the captive ghosts.
* A Big Electric Switch turns on the Psychophraculator in ''Film/MysteryMen''.
* ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' features Frank N. Furter throwing two Big Electric Switches to start the floorshow.
* In the 1939 ''[[Film/TheWizardOfOz Wizard of Oz]]'' film, the "wizard" uses these to create the thunder and lightning effects in his throne room.
* ''Film/OurManFlint''. Flint throws several of these in the Galaxy communications room in an attempt to mess up their operations, and throws one to start the shutdown of their WeatherControlMachine.

* ''Film/Batman1989''. After Batman drives into the Batcave with Vicki Vale, he turns on the lights by throwing a switch.
* ''Film/TopSecret''
** When Nick Rivers is being taken to be executed, the electric chair is activated with an electric switch.
** The electric fence around the castle is turned on and off with one of these.
* ''Film/OutpostBlackSun''. Wallace slams them up and down in an ultimately futile attempt to destroy the Nazi {{Zeerust}} SecretWeapon by ExplosiveOverclocking.
* ''Film/FromBeyond''. The Resonator is activated by throwing one of these switches.
* The climactic scene of ''Film/TheLighthorsemen'' (1987) involves the Turkish/German force trying to blow up the wells at Beersheba before the Australians can capture them intact. Rather than the traditional PlungerDetonator, the wires are connected to a switchboard with one of these.

* ''Film/{{Barbarella}}''. In the revolutionary headquarters in the city of Sogo, several pieces of equipment are activated by electric knife switches, including a secret door.
* Several in ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', always [[RuleOfDrama giving out a shower of sparks whenever they're thrown]].

* ''Series/{{The Twilight Zone|1959}}'' TOS episode "Shadow Play''. Adam Grant is put to death by electrocution when the guard throws two of them on a console.
* Befitting his status as a MadScientist, Dr. Forrester from ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' uses one of these to launch both Joel and Mike into space.
** and when planning to "cleave in two this puny planet".

* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''.
** Used in the episode "Monster Movie" (along with many other cliches) to electrocute Dean, who is StrappedToAnOperatingTable in a MadScientistLaboratory. The VillainOfTheWeek (who's a [[GenreSavvy fan of horror movies]]) takes his time reaching for it to drag out the suspense as much as possible.
** Dean uses two of them to turn on the lights in the Men of Letters bunker (built in 1935 and abandoned in the 1950s). Instead of causing a short-circuit and burning the place down, [[RagnarokProofing everything works perfectly]].
* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''. In "Dagger of the Mind", Dr Helen Noel has to save the day by turning off the forcefield so Spock can do a TeleportationRescue. As [[ImADoctorNotAPlaceholder she's a doctor not an engineer]] she has no idea how to do this, but the [[BigRedButton red double-handed lever]] gives her a good idea. When Spock beams down, he then switches off the power properly via a [[BoringButPractical row of switches in a locked cabinet.]]
* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''.
** Adds to the UsedFuture NoOSHACompliance look of the Malon toxic waste freighter in "Juggernaut".
** Arturis uses one to activate the quantum slipstream drive in "Hope and Fear". The trope is necessary for dramatic purposes as two security officers are trying to restrain him at the time.

** This adds to the AnachronismStew appearance of the TARDIS console (and slamming big levers also suits the Doctor's hammy persona). At the end of "Arachnids in the UK", the Doctor and his latest companions do a TeamHandStack to pull the lever at the same time, after agreeing to travel in time and space together.

* The ''Series/BlakesSeven'' episode "[[{{Recap/BlakesSevenS4E6Headhunter}} Headhunter]]" is Frankenstein's monster InSpace, but seeing as it's used to turn on an antique generator plant (to electrocute the MonsterOfTheWeek) instead of a MadScientistLaboratory the trope is entirely justified.

* Snidley Whiplash throws a big switch in ''Pinball/TheAdventuresOfRockyAndBullwinkleAndFriends'' to turn on the sawmill and endanger [[DamselInDistress Nell]].
* The ball launcher in Creator/SegaPinball's ''Pinball/MaryShelleysFrankenstein'' is a one-handle version of the switch. It also appears on the DMD as the animation during the SkillShot.

* Used in the breaker room that's used to restore power after the blackout in ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion''. Possibly a ChekhovsGun considering that you can reach it as soon as the second area and the room otherwise seems to have no use.
* ''VideoGame/{{Penumbra}}'' uses these for dozens of different functions, including an action sequence to kill a worm with electricity. They're all marked "Yort Industries".
-->'''Philip''': I don't know what it does, but that machine is clearly an electrical hazard waiting to happen.

* In the 24th episode of ''Machinima/FreemansMind'', Gordon comments how he likes how [[VideoGame/HalfLife1 Black Mesa]] uses "big Doctor Frankenstein switches for everything."

* ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot''. As Herr Doktor says at 3:30, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26VhoE2W-9I&feature=related throw ze svitch!]]

* In one of the WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes 'Wolf and Sheepdog' cartoons, Ralph Wolf has set up an armory's worth of missiles and cannons behind Sam Sheepdog, all focused on him at point-blank range, and the bluff Sam's sitting on has been rigged to break away, and far below is a big tank of hungry crocodiles. In his burrow, Ralph starts to throw the big master switch -- and the five o'clock whistle blows. He lets go, rolls his eyes and mutters "Pshaw!" The two clock out together and walk home, chatting amicably.

* In the 1973/74 ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' episode "Dr. Pelagian's War", when Dr. Pelagian sends a tidal wave against Carraway's freon gas plant, Superman throws a switch to send electricity through coils filled with freon to freeze the tidal wave as it passes over them.
* {{Parodied|Trope}} in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/AvengerPenguins''. BigBad Caractacus P. Doom has a machine operated by such a switch, and he orders his [[TheIgor Igor]] to "throw the switch!" -- only for him to [[LiteralMinded literally pull it off the machine and throw it at him]].
* ''WesternAnimation/FoghornLeghorn''
** In "Weasel Stop", a dog starts up a hay baling machine by throwing a switch.
** In "The High and the Flighty", the dog activates an electrified ear of corn by throwing a switch.
* ''Young Samson & Goliath'' episode "The Secret of Evil Island". The BigBad Voltor throws a switch to launch 15 missiles that will each destroy a world capital. After the title characters destroy the missiles, Voltor throws another switch that activates a SelfDestructMechanism that causes the IslandBase they're on to sink.
* ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'': In "Just Us Justice Ducks", Negaduck captures the Justice Ducks sans Darkwing and places them all in various Bond-villain-style contraptions designed to cause slow, torturous death; all of which will simultaneously activate "when I throw... '''''THE SWITCH!'''''" He then trolls them by pressing two smaller switches which do nothing before revealing the Big Electric Switch that actually activates the contraptions.

* PlayedForLaughs in the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "[[Recap/PhineasAndFerbTheLizardWhisperer The Lizard Whisperer]]": Doofenshmirtz has a giant electric switch that he uses as a light switch for his building. The building's actual light switch is instead wired to his Gigantinator ray.

* In one of the WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes 'Wolf and Sheepdog' cartoons, Ralph Wolf has set up an armory's worth of missiles and cannons behind Sam Sheepdog, all focused on him at point-blank range, and the bluff Sam's sitting on has been rigged to break away, and far below is a big tank of hungry crocodiles. In his burrow, Ralph starts to throw the big master switch - and the five o'clock whistle blows. He lets go, rolls his eyes and mutters "Pshaw!" The two clock out together and walk home, chatting amicably.
* ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheatricalCartoons'' episode "The Arctic Giant". After the generator malfunctions, two knife switches are pulled out to turn it off.
* 1973/74 ''WesternAnimation/SuperFriends'' episode "Dr. Pelagian's War". When Dr. Pelagian sends a tidal wave against Carraway's freon gas plant, Superman throws a switch to send electricity through coils filled with freon to freeze the tidal wave as it passes over them.
* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/AvengerPenguins''--in one episode BigBad Caractacus P. Doom has a machine operated by such a switch, and he orders his [[TheIgor Igor]] to "throw the switch!"--only for him to [[LiteralMinded literally pull it off the machine and throw it at him]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': In "Employee of the Month", Beast Boy repeatedly puts off defusing a [[EarthShatteringKaboom giant planet-killing bomb]], believing the task to be too complicated and beyond his skills. When he finally gets around to it, he punches a hole in the bomb's chassis and enters, only to find it completely empty inside with a giant electrical switch which he flips to the "off" position.

* The climatic scene of ''Film/TheLighthorsemen'' (1987) involves the Turkish/German force trying to blow up the wells at Beersheba before the Australians can capture them intact. Rather than the traditional PlungerDetonator, the wires are connected to a switchboard with one of these.

** Dean uses two of them to turn on the lights in the Men of Letters bunker (built in 1935 and abandoned in the 1950's). Instead of causing a short-circuit and burning the place down, [[RagnarokProofing everything works perfectly]].

* One can be made in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''. Where as buttons create a quick burst of electricity to a nearby object, and a pressure plate can be activated with any weight, a lever can be used to keep the electricity at a constant flow.

* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': Professor Farnsworth hits a huge, antiquated switch to activate a device, and it just electrocutes him. Then he flips a tiny lightswitch to actually use it.

** Knife switches have largely fallen out of favor because they're ''dangerous''. Note the bare pieces of metal making contact with the receivers. Considering the voltages and amperages running though a typical knife-switch-controlled circuit, it would be very easy to electrocute yourself if you accidentally brushed up against the wrong part.

* Something very similar to these exist in industrial environments. They are used to allow "lockout tagout", an industrial process used to prevent injury to mechanics, welders and electricians while performing maintenance. The worker will place a lock in such a way that the switch is rendered inoperable, "locking it out". They then place a tag on the lock, indicating who locked it out. This prevents an inattentive operator or cruel manager from turning a machine back on to resume production.

* In ''Series/DoctorWho'' this adds to the AnachronismStew appearance of the TARDIS console. Slamming big levers also suits the Doctor's hammy persona as well. And at the end of "Arachnids in the UK", the Doctor and his latest companions do a TeamHandStack to pull the lever at the same time, after agreeing to travel in time and space together.

* In ''Series/DoctorWho'' this adds to the AnachronismStew appearance of the TARDIS console. Slamming big levers also suits the Doctor's hammy persona as well.

* The climatic scene of ''The Lighthorsemen'' (1987) involves the Turkish/German force trying to blow up the wells at Beersheba before the Australians can capture them intact. Rather than the traditional PlungerDetonator, the wires are connected to a switchboard with one of these.