Rotary switches are a type of switch mechanism used in many electronic circuits. They work by having a rotating arm that is connected to a number of electromechanical contacts, which can be flipped on and off by rotating the arm. The switches are typically placed on a panel, such as a printed circuit board, and are used as a way to select different settings or circuits in an electronic device. Rotary switches are used in a wide range of applications, including wall switches, circuit breakers, amplifiers, and control panels.