What is a Single Pole & Double Pole Switch? It all has to do with how many circuits you want to control with one switch. It also depends on what you want that circuit to accomplish.
Lets start with some basics.
How does a switch work?
Types of Electrical Switch Actuation Configurations
SPST switch stands for a single pole single throw electrical switch. A SPST switch controls a single wire circuit.
Example: ON – OFF
SPDT switch stands for a single pole double throw electrical switch. A SPDT switch controls two single wire circuits, with only one circuit able to be energized at a given time.
Example: ON – OFF – ON
DPST switch stands for double pull single throw electrial switch. A DPST switch controls two wire circuits and both are energized at the same time.
Example: On – OFF
DPDT switch stands for a double pole double throw electrical switch. A DPDT switch controls four circuits, allowing two of the four circuits to be energized at the same time. Similar to the DPST configuration, the two circuits which are energized will either both be ON or both be OFF, and can have different voltages from separate sources wired to one DPDT switch.
Example: ON – OFF – ON
This terminology is consistent across the different types of electrical switches including toggle switches, rocker switches, and push button switches. These actuations can also be momentary, meaning the actuation only occurs while the switch is being held in a specific position. Momentary action is designated differently across the industry, but at Del City, we indicated momentary action by ( ).
To learn more about electrical switch configurations and common uses, watch the video below! Or, start searching for your switch by using our electrical switch selector!