Overview: Advantages of mechanical and solid state pressure switches are compared in this paper, which explains the principle of operation of a typical mechanical bourdon tube switch and a solid state pressure switch. Accuracy offered by mechanical bourdon tube switch is compared with that of a solid state pressure switch, detailing the differences in the dead-band adjustment mechanisms of these switches. Mounting flexibility offered by solid state switches compared to mechanical switches is stated, highlighting over-pressure tolerance and cost benefits offered by solid state switches. The paper also lists the advantages of mechanical pressure switches with reference to their power requirements.