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A single pole switch interrupts only one wire, which must be the live wire. A double pole switch interrupts both the live and the neutral, so it contains two separate switches operated by the same lever.

Current practice is to use single-pole switches, to avoid a fault condition which could leave equipment live while switched off.

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9y ago

A single pole switch is an on/off switch that switches one wire such as the circuit that goes to you lights.

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Q: What is difference between single pole and double pole switch?
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What is the difference between iron clad double pole switch and double pole single throw switch?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.The difference between a double pole switch and a single pole switch is the use of the switch in the installation or equipment. A double pole switch is used when the voltage from two circuits has to be broken. An example of this is a 240 volt supply. A single pole switch is used where there is only a single supply voltage that has to be broken.


What is the difference between double pole and triple pole?

A single-pole switch is an on/off switch that switches a single wire such as the circuit to your overhead light. A double pole switch is also an on/off switch that switches two wires. You would use this to switch as 240 volt circuit (which requires two hot wires) or if you had two circuit you wanted to switch at the same time. I've used them when I had two large light circuits that required two breakers that I wanted to switch with one switch.


What is the difference between single pole double throw switch and single pole single throw switch?

US Single-pole switchIn the US, the standard "single-pole" light switch is single-pole single-throw, with only 2 terminals. In the ON position it connects the two terminals, and in the OFF position it doesn't. The standard US "3-way" light switch (used for switching a light from two different switches) is single-pole double-throw. It has 3 terminals (hence the term "3-way"), and it connects one of those terminals to either of the other two, depending on the switch position. There's no OFF position, so the switch has only two positions.


How by looking at a socket can you tell the difference in a double or single pole?

Single or double pole is usually a switch. 110 or 220 on a plug, 110 is usually a double outlet. 220 is usually or always a single outlet. Design of the outlet will vary depending on what is plugged into it. The slots can be 1 vertical and 1 horizontal. Both slots can be at an angle. If a regular 110 cord will not plug into an outlet, good chance it is a 220


Can a 4 way switch be used in place of a 3 way switch?

No a 3-way is a single pole double throw. A four way switch swaps travelers.

Related questions

What is the difference between iron clad double pole switch and double pole single throw switch?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.The difference between a double pole switch and a single pole switch is the use of the switch in the installation or equipment. A double pole switch is used when the voltage from two circuits has to be broken. An example of this is a 240 volt supply. A single pole switch is used where there is only a single supply voltage that has to be broken.


What is the difference between single pole switch and a three way?

A single pole switch controls a light or outlet at one location. A 3 way switch controls a light or outlet from 2 locations.


What is the difference between double pole and triple pole?

A single-pole switch is an on/off switch that switches a single wire such as the circuit to your overhead light. A double pole switch is also an on/off switch that switches two wires. You would use this to switch as 240 volt circuit (which requires two hot wires) or if you had two circuit you wanted to switch at the same time. I've used them when I had two large light circuits that required two breakers that I wanted to switch with one switch.


What does spdt switch stand for?

Single-pole, double-throw. The switch directs a single input to two possible outputs.


Difference between TPN switch and TP and N switch?

no difference whatsoever


How do you wire a DPST switch?

A double pole single throw switch. used to switch two lines at the same time.


What is a two way lever switch?

In electrical terminology it is known as a single pole double throw switch.


How does a double pole switch work?

A switch is inserted in series with a single wire. When the switch is on, it is as if the wire had not been opened to insert the switch. When the switch is off the wire is open and no current can flow. All a double pole switch does is allows you to switch two separate wires at the same time with the same switch action. A single pole switch just switches one wire.


How is the 2-way circuit diagram of power switch?

By using DPST(Double Pole Single Through) switch.


Difference between tandem switch and long distance switch?

go to www.howstuffworks.com


What is the difference between single pole double throw switch and single pole single throw switch?

US Single-pole switchIn the US, the standard "single-pole" light switch is single-pole single-throw, with only 2 terminals. In the ON position it connects the two terminals, and in the OFF position it doesn't. The standard US "3-way" light switch (used for switching a light from two different switches) is single-pole double-throw. It has 3 terminals (hence the term "3-way"), and it connects one of those terminals to either of the other two, depending on the switch position. There's no OFF position, so the switch has only two positions.


How is an electrical double pole switch correctly wired?

For a single throw, double pole switch, each section is wired to the individual items to be controlled. For a double throw double pole (220) set up, both hot wires are run through the switch.