What is a 3 pole switch used for?

What is a 3 pole switch used for?

Three pole or three-way switches are used to control lights and fixture from multiple locations, such as the top and bottom of a flight of stairs A closer look shows that a three pole switch has three terminals, while a single pole switch has two.

Is there a 3 pole light switch?

Three pole or three-way switches are used to control one or more lights or fixtures from multiple locations, such as the top and bottom of a flight of stairs. Closer inspection reveals that while a single pole switch has two terminals, a three pole switch has three.

Whats the difference between a single pole and 3-way switch?

The most common household switch, a single-pole, has two terminals and simply turns power on or off. A three-way switch has three terminals; a four-way has four. You can usually replace any single-pole switch with a dimmer.

How do I know if I have a 3 way switch?

A more positive way to identify a 3-way switch is to look at the body of the switch and count the number of screw terminals: a 3-way switch has three terminal screws plus a ground screw. Two of the terminals are a light color—bronze- or copper-colored—and are called travelers.

How can I tell which wire is common on a 3-way switch?

The switch wiring for three-ways is normally Red, Black, and White. If the White is correctly used for neutral, the connected switching wires are Red and Black. The White (neutral) is often referred to as Common, but the colored wires are both used as Hot wires, alternately as the possible switch positions are made.

Do you need a special switch for a 3-way switch?

The key ingredient is a special type of switch called a “three-way” switch. You’ll need two of them, one to replace the existing switch and another for the new switch location. With these, you’ll have the convenience of turning a light on and off from two spots.

Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel.

Back To Top