[0006] In apparatus terms, this object is attained in accordance with the present invention as is set forth in claim 1 and requires that the magnetic sensor for determining the positions of an activation magnet along a monitored distance have at least two sensor elements. Both sensor elements are subjected to at least one component of a magnetic field of the activation magnet. An evaluation unit coupled to the sensor elements generates at least one switching signal that corresponds to the desired magnet position. Each sensor element is effective over the entire monitored distance. Each sensor element then provides an unambiguous group of signal values that is effective over the entire monitored distance and that is used for generating the switching signals in the evaluation unit. In this manner, there is an unambiguous group of signal values for each magnet position so that each magnet position can be unambiguously identified. As a result, the evaluation unit can generate unambiguous position signals for each possible magnet position.