A magnetically activated switch, comprising: an arm member (142, 142') having a first magnet; an actuating member having a second magnet, the actuating member being configured and arranged to move relative to the arm member (142, 142') thereby moving the second magnet relative to the first magnet, the second magnet having a repulsion force to the first magnet; and a switch having a contact, wherein movement of the second magnet in a first direction past the first magnet positions the contact in an open position and movement of the second magnet in a second direction past the first magnet positions the contact in a closed position; characterized in that the first magnet includes a first magnet portion and a second magnet portion (160, 160') spaced apart to form a channel through which the second magnet moves, and in that the second magnet has a north pole on a first side and a south pole on a second side, the second magnet portion (160, 160') having a north pole on a side adjacent the first side of the second magnet and the first magnet portion having a south pole on a side adjacent the second side of the second magnet when the second magnet is moving through the channel, wherein the first and second magnets (156, 172) cause the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member to move in opposite directions relative to one another, movement of the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member in first opposite directions position the contact in the open position, and movement of the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member in second opposite directions position the contact in the closed position. an arm member (142, 142') having a first magnet; an actuating member having a second magnet, the actuating member being configured and arranged to move relative to the arm member (142, 142') thereby moving the second magnet relative to the first magnet, the second magnet having a repulsion force to the first magnet; and a switch having a contact, wherein movement of the second magnet in a first direction past the first magnet positions the contact in an open position and movement of the second magnet in a second direction past the first magnet positions the contact in a closed position; characterized in that the first magnet includes a first magnet portion and a second magnet portion (160, 160') spaced apart to form a channel through which the second magnet moves, and in that the second magnet has a north pole on a first side and a south pole on a second side, the second magnet portion (160, 160') having a north pole on a side adjacent the first side of the second magnet and the first magnet portion having a south pole on a side adjacent the second side of the second magnet when the second magnet is moving through the channel, wherein the first and second magnets (156, 172) cause the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member to move in opposite directions relative to one another, movement of the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member in first opposite directions position the contact in the open position, and movement of the arm member (142, 142') and the actuating member in second opposite directions position the contact in the closed position.