Membrane switches are thin, flexible devices used to control electronic equipment. They consist of multiple layers, including a graphic overlay, a spacer layer, and a circuit layer. When a user presses a button on the overlay, it compresses the layers together, completing an electrical circuit and sending a signal to the device. These switches are commonly found in various applications, such as consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment. Their design allows for easy cleaning and can be customized with different colors and graphics, making them both functional and visually appealing.