
These kinds of switches are most commonly used in hallways or large rooms where there are more than one way to enter.Ĭonfused about which types of switches you need for your electrical project? The experts at Price Electric have been solving these problems for homeowners and builders for decades.

If the light is on, either switch can turn it off. These two wires create their own internal circuit so that if a light is off, either switch can turn it on. However, they have two special wires that connect to each other, called travellers. Three-way switches are connected to a hot wire from the electric panel and a wire that connects to the light. That gives both of them the chance to interrupt the flow, or re-start the flow of electricity. In order to be able to turn a light on or off from different points in the same room, BOTH switches must be three-way switches. These switches make it possible to safely isolate appliances. A double pole switch is usually rated at 30 amps, twice than a standard switch rated at 15-20 amps. A good example of this is when you have a switch both at the top and bottom of your stairs. Each one of them has the power to interrupt the electrical flow and turn the light off from a different part of the room. Double pole wiring is used for setting up two and three-way switching for lights and fixtures. The three-way switch is used in conjunction with another three-way switch. Much like the two-way switch, a three-way switch turns a light on or off. Also although switches of that size are popular as extra functions, maybe it is too small and fiddly as a main selector. But its shaft goes into a 1/4' hole so smaller than a pot. It can be wired to select one of 3 pickups.

When you turn it off, you have interrupted the flow. If you want a small toggle, you can get an on-on-on minitoggle. In essence, when you turn the light on, you are completing a circuit, so the electricity is flowing to the light. There is one place to turn the light on or off. This is the kind of switch you have in many rooms. What does a two-way switch do?Ĭhances are, when you think of a light switch, the one you are thinking of is a typical two-way switch. It seems a pretty simple concept.īut if you are designing a new space, or upgrading an older electrical system, you might find yourself answering questions and deciding between a two-way or a three-way switch. As such, for ease, most electricians and architects often only specify or fit 2 way switches.

The cost difference between 1 way and 2 way switches in minimal and a 2 way switch can operate readily as a 1 way switch. Much like the two-way switch, a three-way switch turns a light on or off. Light switches are just light switches, right? You flick it or click it or turn it and the light comes on, and maybe a fan spins to life. A 2 way switch enables you therefore to have 2 switches controlling the operation of one light.
