Three Pole Switch

Enerlites 3 way decorator paddle light switch single pole or three way 3 wire grounding screw commercial grade 20a 120v 277v ul listed 93200 gy gray 5 0 out of 5 stars 4 13 99 13.

Three pole switch.

One of the terminals is called the common terminal. A four way has four. For example a long hallway or stairway might use a pair of three way. With a pair of 3 way switches either can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

A three way switch has three terminals. Enerlites 3 way decorator paddle rocker light switch single pole or three way 3 wire grounding screw residential grade 15a 120v 277v ul listed 93150 w 10pcs white 10 pack 4 7 out of 5 stars 516. 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. A three way switch has the same two brass terminals you find on a single pole switch although they are usually opposite each other instead of arranged vertically on the switch body.

Wall switches used to control ceiling light fixtures or other fixtures come in three types. Wiring a 3 way light switch is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. Wiring a 3 way light switch. To use a three way switch as a single pole one connect the hot wires to the common terminal and the traveler on the same side of the switch body.

Most common is the single pole switch the type used to control a light fixture from a single location the next most common is the three way switch which is commonly used to control a light fixture from two different locations. Three way switches control a light fixture from two locations in a room. Another type is the four way switch which is used in conjunction with two three way switches to control lighting from more than two locations. A double throw switch connects an input terminal to one of two output terminals.

The three way switch is a variation of the standard single pole switch which controls a light only from one location. You don t need the other terminal on the three way switch so it s fine to cover it over with electrical tape to ensure the terminals don t get mixed up. The other two terminals are often referred to as a and b. It s there so the electrician can connect the switch to another three way switch via a third wire.

The most common household switch a single pole has two terminals and simply turns power on or off.