What is a Single Pole Switch? Features, Types & Uses

The single pole switch is a basic type of switch that is used in our homes and office wiring systems. This switch can be connected and installed simply and easily. In this post, we will cover details for single-pole switch type features and related factors. So let’s get started with what is a single pole switch.

What is a single pole switch?

• The single-pole switch is a general type of switch that is used for controlling light or other types of loads.
• This switch comes with two brass-colored screw terminals that are connected to a live power supply wire.
• One terminal of the switch works as the incoming wire from the power supply, and the other controls the outgoing fixture.

• Mostly single-pole switches come with ground terminals for the connection of circuit ground wire.
• Normally, we can connect the neutral wire to switches. If neutrals exist in a box, we can make a connection with them for passing through the box without making a connection with the switch.
• The single pole switch comes with one input and one output, and it has two conditions: ON or OFF.
• They are connected with normally open or normally closed states.
• There are two commonly used types of single-pole switches: single-pole, single-throw switches and “single-pole double-throw.”

 

What are poles and throws?

Pole

• The pole defines several separate circuits that the switch can control; a single pole switch can control one circuit, and a double pole switch can control two circuits.

Throw

• The throw is defined as many positions that can operate with a single-pole switch that will close the circuit in one state, and a double-throw switch will close the circuit in two conditions.

Single pole vs. 3-way

• A single-pole switch is used for controlling light in a small closet or bathroom. It is known as a single-pole switch since there are two wires connected or separated in the switch process.
• It also comes with ground for protection from electrical faults.
• In larger places such as hallways, a single pole switch is not good to use, and it is best to use it for 3-way switches.
• They are used for pairs, one at each switching point. They are connected with either switch, can operate the light, and are independent of others.
• The 3-way switch is larger than the single-pole switch and comes with 3 screw terminals for making wire connections with the ground. Two are traveler’s wires that move from one switch to another. In the 3rd terminal, one switch is connected with the live wire and another switch with the light.

Single-Pole Switch Wiring Diagrams

The simple method for wiring standard single-pole light switches is based on the switch location according to the light source. Here you can see a basic diagram for a single-pole switch.

Single Pole vs. 3-Way vs. 4-Way Light Switches

• The basic difference is that single pole, 3-way, and 4-way switches are their working features and wiring process. The single pole switch is used for controlling one light fixture from a single point, and it is a simple type of switch that has one ground screw and two live screws.
• The 3-way switch helps to control a single light source at two different points and comes with one ground screw, one black common screw, and two brass traveler screws.
• The four-way switch is used for controlling 3 or more points for lights with the help of two 3-way switches.

SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) Switch

• The SPST switch is a basic on-and-off switch, and it is used for breaking or connecting a circuit between two points.
• This switch is used for providing power to circuits; here you can see the circuit diagram of the SPST switch.

 

• The switch is used for the light switch denoted in the diagram below. it is also called a toggle switch. It comes with input and output. This light switch controls one wire and a single connection made with it. It is an on-and-off switch if the switch in the circuit is closed for ON current flow between two terminals, and there is a bulb glow. If the switch is off or open, no current will flow.

 

 

SPDT, or Single Pole Double Throw Switch

• • The SPDT switch comes with three terminals; one terminal is used as input, and the other two are used as output terminals.
• One of two terminals is connected with a common terminal. Leaving other terminals, just the COM terminal is used in the SPDT light switch. Such as COM and A or B and COM can be connected.

 

• This switch is used in 3-way circuits for on or off light at two different points, such as the top or bottom of a staircase.
• If switch A is closed, a circuit current flows in the circuit below. Only light A glows, and light B is off. If switch B is closed, current will flow through terminals, and only light B will glow, and light A will be. Both circuit controls with a single switch