house circuit breaker question.

[hr3]

My guess is that they will be confused, or they will point you to 4 way switches (which are actually double pole double throw switches) rather than 3 way switches (which are actually single pole double throw switches).

The difference is that a 3 way switch (SPDT) has 3 terminals, A, B and C. Moving the switch chooses if terminal A or terminal B is connected to terminal C.
With a 4 way (DPDT) switch, it has 4 terminals, A, B, C and D.
With the switch down, A is connected to C and B is connected to D.
With the switch up, A is connected to D and B is connected to C.

Aaron Z

Hmm not the same .. There is a difference between a dpdt switch and a 4 way switch...

double-pole or 4-way switch ?

 

[Oldpath05]

There is no way I'm gonna get into double pole double throw switch, DPDT. The ABC switch is as far as I dare to go, mother always said I'd get by if I'd just learn my ABC's., she's right I became a weldah.

 

[aczlan]

Hmm not the same .. There is a difference between a dpdt switch and a 4 way switch...
double-pole or 4-way switch ?

Yes, a pair of jumpers.
Here is a 3 way vs a 4 way (and how they interconnect) from that thread:


From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch#Contact_terminology
DPST: A to C, B to D and the wires are connected when its on:

DPDT: A to C or E and B to D or F (in some cases, there is also a center "off" position).

In the case of a 4 way switch, there is a jumper between C and F and another between D and E.


Aaron Z

 

[SPYDERLK]

My guess is that they will be confused, or they will point you to 4 way switches (which are actually double pole double throw switches) rather than 3 way switches (which are actually single pole double throw switches).

The difference is that a 3 way switch (SPDT) has 3 terminals, A, B and C. Moving the switch chooses if terminal A or terminal B is connected to terminal C.
With a 4 way (DPDT) switch, it has 4 terminals, A, B, C and D.
With the switch down, A is connected to C and B is connected to D.
With the switch up, A is connected to D and B is connected to C.

Aaron Z

A DPDT has 6 terminals.

 

[aczlan]

A DPDT has 6 terminals.

As does a 4 way (on the actual switch), but it has permanent jumpers installed so you only need 4 of them to come outside the case.

Aaron Z

 

[SPYDERLK]

A DPDT has 6 terminals.

As does a 4 way (on the actual switch), but it has permanent jumpers installed so you only need 4 of them to come outside the case.

Aaron Z

,,,,,, 6 External :

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/pdf/switches_demystified_assembly.pdf

,,,Can be set up as a reversing switch as the special case switch you describe.

 

[jrdepew]

Those lighted switches are the greatest. We have a walkout basement, and it was impossible to find the switch at night when entering the basement. Installed a switch that lit up when turned off, now we are living the good life...except for those times when *someone* places an object on the floor between the door and light switch (about 2 steps)...

 

[buickanddeere]

,,,,,, 6 External :

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/pdf/switches_demystified_assembly.pdf

,,,Can be set up as a reversing switch as the special case switch you describe.

Works on three phase and single phase . On single phase the four way switch goes on the start winding leads . Motor has to come to a full stop before reversing will work.

 

[CNC Dan]

....I still think that the 3-way description of a switch is miss-leading and to me makes no sense, in my mind double pole description describes it better ...

It's a hold over from fluid valves.
A simple shutoff valve with two ports could be called a two way valve, as there are two ways that fluid go in/out of the valve body.

A 'Y' valve would have three ports, and would be called a three way valve.
And a simmilar switch with three terminals is callled a three way switch.

 

[aczlan]

,,,,,, 6 External :

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/pdf/switches_demystified_assembly.pdf

,,,Can be set up as a reversing switch as the special case switch you describe.

So it is a DPDT switch like I said... From the Wikipedia page I got the pictures from: DPDT switch internally wired for polarity-reversal applications: only four rather than six wires are brought outside the switch housing.

Aaron Z