The next two slides detail the different positions and forces applied to a switch during the actuation cycle that must be taken into account when choosing a switch. The operating force is the force which must be applied to the operating device to displace it from the rest position to the operating position. The total travel force is the force required to displace the operating device from its rest position to its total travel position. The release force is the level to which the applied force must be reduced to allow the snap action mechanism to return to its release position.