What does a 3 pole switch mean?
Three pole or three-way switches are used to control lights and fixture from multiple locations, such as the top and bottom of a flight of stairs A closer look shows that a three pole switch has three terminals, while a single pole switch has two.
What does Pole mean in switches?
“Pole” indicates the number of circuits that one switch can control for one operation of the switch. “Throw” indicates the number of contact points. NO and NC contacts are single throw. Changeover contacts are double throw. If one switch can control one circuit for one operation, it is a single-pole switch.
When should you use a 3 pole switch?
Three-way switches are commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. For example, a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three-way switches at each end so that lights can be turned on when approaching one end of the hall or stairway, then shut off from the other end.
Can I use a 3 way switch as a single?
Yes it can work. 3-way switches are spdt (single pole double throw) with 3 screw terminals, and regular switches are spst (single pole single throw) with 2 screw terminals. Just pick the correct two contacts and you are good to go. .
What is a 4 pole switch?
4-Way Switches Four-way switches are used to control lighting from three or more locations. There are four terminals that provide two sets of toggle positions on a four-way switch. Each set of terminals is one of the toggle positions. When the switch is in the up position, the current can flow through two terminals.
How do you tell if a switch is 2 or 3 way?
A more positive way to identify a 3-way switch is to look at the body of the switch and count the number of screw terminals: a 3-way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Two of the terminals are a light color—bronze- or copper-colored—and are called travelers.
What does single pole mean?
A single pole switch has one input and one output, it has two states; “on” or “off”. They can be wired either normally open or normally closed and can be either latching or momentary. There are two types of single pole switch, these are “single-pole, single throw” and “single pole double throw”.
What is the difference between a single and double pole switch?
Poles: A switch pole refers to the number of separate circuits that the switch controls. A single-pole switch controls just one circuit. A double-pole switch controls two separate circuits. A double-pole switch is like two separate single-pole switches that are mechanically operated by the same lever, knob, or button.
What is the common screw on a 3 way switch?
3 Answers. The common wire is associated with the differently colored screw on a 3-way switch, so it’s the black screw in your case. (Ignore the green ground screw, of course.) As others suggested, and in accordance with your situation, the black is the common wire, and the red is the traveler wire (assuming this is for a three way switch).
What is the purpose of a 3 way switch?
+ Answer It is helpful to have a three-way switch when two switches are needed in different parts of the room. Therefore, the purpose of the 3-way switch is to have two locations in order to control the electricity for the one light or electrical device in one area.
How do you wire a two pole switch?
Connect one end of the 6-inch wire to the top terminal of the first switch. Twist the other end together with the black wire from the incoming circuit cable and the black wire from the cable going to the second switch to form a pigtail. Twist a wire cap onto the end of the pigtail .