Learn about the four types of electrical switches and the basics on which they are made

As we learned in previous articles , an electrical switch is a device manufactured to stop the flow of current through an electrical circuit . We will find many types of these keys , and in this article we will show you Four types of main electrical switches that can be used in home installations .

Types of electrical switches

Single- pole electrical switch

Single- pole switches are electrical machines that , in home lighting , have two positions : on and off . In one position, the current is allowed to pass and in the other the current stops . A single -pole switch is used to control one lighting point from one location in dry rooms .

In single- pole lighting switches : only the power cable ( phase ) is interrupted . In other words, the peculiarity of this mechanism lies in the fact that it cuts only one of the two cables needed to install, for example , a light bulb . It is the cable that is popularly called neutral .

Single -pole switch types consist of one push button but two contact terminals ( two electrical wires are connected ).

Double pole switch​

A two- pole switch works in the same way as a single- pole switch , but this switch It is used in wet rooms , such as the bathroom, ... Therefore, it is an electrical mechanism that, although it can perform the same function as a traditional single- pole switch , has the characteristic of using two cables to interrupt the current : the phase and the neutral .

In other words , bipolar switches are those capable of controlling, via a switch, two electrical circuits . With these keys, you can interrupt and resume, i.e. turn the light on and off with a single lever .

All types of double pole lighting switches consist of One button and 4 terminals (4 electrical wires connected ) .

These keys are most commonly used in homes . It is used for electrical appliances in which it is necessary or important to cut off the flow of the two wires of the installation .

They are also the safest and most practical . Double- pole switches are safety elements for electrical installations that can prevent more than one panic . The column is used to indicate the number of circuits controlled by the same switch .

Two- way electrical switch or toggle / jump switch

A two- way switch is a " continuous contact " mechanism used to control a point of light from two different places . Hence, we need two types of light switches “ back and forward ” for that reason .

The back and front switch consists of 3 electrical contacts achieved through circular terminals . Each time one of the two switches is pressed , one of the contacts moves from top to bottom so that the contact is always maintained to allow current to pass , thus illuminating the point in question .

Back and forth switching is very useful in large rooms , corridors , stairs , etc. , because it allows light to be turned on and off from different electrically connected points . For example , you can place a switch next to the door, and another switch next to the bed, so that if you turn on the light when you enter the room through the switch near the door, you can turn it off from the switch next to the door near the bed .

2 way light switches have 1 button and 3 terminals ( connect 3 electrical wires ) .​

Double key

A double switch is used to control two lighting points from one place . Dual types of light switches have two buttons . In other words, it is a mechanism through which we can turn on and off light from two different points , from the same switch ( a button for the light in the corridor and a button for the light in the living room ), or from two different elements , such as : a lamp and a fan .

They are widely used in homes , because they are easy to use and provide great convenience . But, it is not always clear how to wire a double switch ( also called a " dipole ") switch even though doing so is a simple task .

Simply two single -pole switches in the same housing . The dual switches have 2 buttons and 3 terminals ( 3 electrical wires are connected ).

Conclusion

Although there are several types of switchgear , you should choose with great care the type that suits the needs of the space, and the most effective according to the use and dimensions of the place.