house circuit breaker question.

[hr3]

Nope not the same.. 3 way switch is a single pole double through switch and a 2 pole switch is a double pole single throw switch..

 

[Winmac]

A 3-way switch is also described as a single pole double throw, maybe that's where the confusion in terms comes from.

 

[Oldpath05]

"Not sure how to answer because I don't know what you mean by double pole switch."
LD1, Maybe I was told wrong 30 years ago, I have a light switch at top of my stairs, I have another light switch down cellar/basement, when I flip the switch upstairs the lights come on, I go down stairs next to the outside door and flip the switch, the lights go off, then I go out side, now I know it's not a single pole switch, but is it a 3-way light switch or a 2 pole light switch?

 

[LD1]

NOT double pole.

3-way or
Single pole double throw

Either are correct.

It IS a single pole.

 

[Oldpath05]

Nope not the same.. 3 way switch is a single pole double through switch and a 2 pole switch is a double pole single throw switch..

"Nope not the same..".........................If this answer was any clearer than that, it would be water, but the explanation put's me in over my head and over my pay grade. I'll be re-reading this trying to understand it.

 

[Oldpath05]

A 3-way switch is also described as a single pole double throw, maybe that's where the confusion in terms comes from.

Confusion of terms is exactly right, in the last hour, my hair has turn 3-way double throw greyer

 

[Oldpath05]

NOT double pole.

3-way or
Single pole double throw

Either are correct.

It IS a single pole.

Ok, before my com. runs out of ink, have you ever heard of a "3-way or Single pole double throw" light switch with built in light so I can see it in the dark so I can find/see the light switch on when I come in from out side? Tied of grabbing turning banging everything else but the light switch when I walk in, or am I the only one in the world with this problem.

 

[Mendonsy]

Leviton R72-05613-2WS is one of them. About $10 at Home Depot.

 

[dadster4]

You're working with 3-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. 3-way switches are single-pole double-throw (either switch can supply power to the load)...as opposed to a standard switch which is a single-pole single-throw (only one switch supplies power to the load). Double-pole switches will switch two lines simultaneously...similar to a two-pole breaker, which is a 2-pole single-throw.

 

[Oldpath05]

You're working with 3

Great explanation, now I think I got it, thanks for all the input.

 

[Oldpath05]

Leviton R72-05613-2WS is one of them. About $10 at Home Depot.

Thanks, this is the kind of switch I was looking for.

 

[franklin2]

The "3-way" description is a term used by electricians. The "single pole double throw" description is the more proper basic description of what the switch does and how it works, even though it probably won't get you the correct switch in a search. Sort of like a "crescent wrench" versus a "adjustable wrench".

 

[LD1]

Going to a lowes or homedepot and asking for a single pole double throw switch will prolly get some funny looks too.

 

[grsthegreat]

Going to a lowes or homedepot and asking for a single pole double throw switch will prolly get some funny looks too.

Asking ANY question at home depot will get funny looks:laughing:

 

[Oldpath05]

Going to a lowes or homedepot and asking for a single pole double throw switch will prolly get some funny looks too.

I was thinking this very same thing today, the next time I go to HomeDepot I'll ask for a 3-way single pole double throw light switch, just show what I know about the double throw, but to be fair, there have been a few times in the past couple year's at HD and Lowes where the guys have been very helpful to me, and that could be from more store competition. I guess I was told wrong all those years ago that I needed a 2 pole switch.

 

[Oldpath05]

Its amazing how easy it is finding something online when I type in the right description, (3 way illuminated light switch), just bought a name brand Leviton 3way single pole double throw illuminated light switch on ebay. Next week I' should be able to walk in my cellar and find the light switch without knocking everything else over.

 

[CobyRupert]

Single pole single throw = spst
Single pole double throw = spdt,
You get the idea:

 

[JimRB]

A four way switch? I have not needed one yet. How 4-way switches work -- an animation

 

[Dutch445]

A four way switch? I have not needed one yet. How 4-way switches work -- an animation

.
had that in a house i put an addition on. basement lights had switches at top of stairs, bottom of stairs, and at basement walk out door.
cool animation!

 

[SPYDERLK]

You're working with 3-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. 3-way switches are single-pole double-throw (either switch can supply power to the load)...as opposed to a standard switch which is a single-pole single-throw (only one switch supplies power to the load). Double-pole switches will switch two lines simultaneously...similar to a two-pole breaker, which is a 2-pole single-throw.

SPDT switches operate in series. The 1st switch selectively powers either pole of the second. Only the second switch applies power to the load.
larry