Single Pole Vs Double Pole Light Switch

The two most common types are single throw.

Single pole vs double pole light switch.

A double pole switch is like two separate single pole switches that are mechanically operated by the same lever knob or button. These control a light from two or three switch locations such as at the top and bottom of a stairwell at either end of a hallway or in a large room with multiple entrances. The main difference is that a double pole switch has four hot brass terminals instead of two plus a ground terminal. A double pole switch controls two separate circuits.

It can either be a dpst double pole single throw switch or a dpdt double pole double throw switch. The number of throws indicates how many different output connections each switch pole can connect its input to. The most common household switch a single pole has two terminals and simply turns power on or off. A double pole switch is what you need to control a 240 volt device because 240 volt circuits have two hot wires.

Two for incoming hots and two for outgoing hots. Most switches in a typical home tend to be single pole. A four way has four. Single pole switches are common simple light switches.

It has four terminals. The double pole switch is commonly used in industrial applications but can be found in some home wiring systems. They control one circuit and offer a regular off and on function. A double pole switch on the other hand is essentially a switch that allows or disallows current flow between two distinct lines or circuits at the same time.

Double pole switches are more common in industrial settings or factories however they can be used as a safety shut off for a residential appliance. That s because the three way switch is used in conjunction with another three way switch to power a single light fixture and turning the light fixture on and off may require different lever positions. A dpst has 4 terminals while a dpdt has 6 terminals. Whereas a single pole switch has on and off markings a three way switch doesn t.