What is a Single Pole Switch?
A single pole switch is an electrical switch that controls one circuit from a single location. It has two terminals and operates as an on/off switch for devices like lights or fans.
When flipped, it either completes or breaks the circuit, allowing or stopping the flow of electricity. It’s commonly used in households for simple lighting control.
What is a Double Pole switch?
A Double Pole switch is an electrical switch that controls two separate circuits at the same time. It has four terminals and can simultaneously disconnect or connect both the live and neutral wires in a circuit.
This makes it safer for appliances that require isolation of both wires, such as water heaters or ovens. Double Pole switches are commonly used in residential and industrial wiring for higher voltage applications, providing better safety and control than single pole switches.
Single Pole vs Double Pole
Both single pole and double pole switches can be either single or double throw.
A pole refers to the number of separate circuits a switch can control, a single pole switch can operate one circuit whereas a double pole switch can control two circuits.
A throw refers to how many positions can be activated by a switch. A single throw switch will close a circuit in one position whereas a double throw switch will close a circuit in two positions and have a neutral position where neither circuit is activated.