a monitored switch having an ON mode and an OFF mode of operation;

circuitry coupled to the monitored switch to provide an output signal from the monitored switch only after the monitored switch is operated between modes for a predetermined period of time, the circuitry includes a counter connected to be activated by a first movement of the monitored switch into one of the On mode and the OFF mode and to be deactivated after a later movement, at least equal to the predetermined period of time, of the monitored switch into another of the OFF mode and the ON mode, and a rising edge sensor and a falling edge sensor connected to the counter to activate and deactivate the counter, respectively.