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Please select from
the list below or the links on the right.
How to use
Electrical
Switches
The most common switching circuits
are:
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Use a switch to turn On and
Off one light bulb
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Use two switches to turn On
and Off one light bulb
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Use three or more switches to
turn On and Off one light bulb
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Use one switch to alternate
Off On two light bulbs
The following diagrams show how
switches are used for the above four switching circuits.
| Simple Electric Circuit
A simple electric circuit usually consists
of one power source (such as a battery), one load (such as a light
bulb), one switch and wires connecting them in a closed loop in series.
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Using SPDT or 3-way switches
| Three-way switches control lights and
receptacles from two points: for example, a light in a hallway that can
be operated from the first floor and second floor. The diagram in the
right is a simple representation |
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of a light bulb circuit that can be controlled
via two switches.
| Switch among the Light Bulbs
You can use SPDT switches to alternate
lighting up two different light bulbs. This method is used for some
OPEN/CLOSE signs and some manual controlled Red/Green traffic lights.
The two light bulbs in this circuit can never be ON at the same time. |
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Using DPDT Switches
Control One Light Bulb With Three Switches
If you are want to control one light bulb with
3 or more switches, you will need two SPDT switches and some DPDT switches in
between.
In the DPDT above when the connection are
straight (Z-X and Y-W) or crossed (Z-W and Y-X). In some DPDT switches you will
need to make your own cross connection by connecting the throws in a cross form.
How 4-way switches work -- an animation
Shown above is an animation of a circuit using
three switches to control a light. The center switch is 4-way switch (DPDT),
while the outer two switches are 3-way (SPST).
Note that in the above animation, the wires are
color coded to indicate their voltage state, rather than the standard NEC
color code.
Glossary of Switches:
SPST: Single Pole Single Throw
SPDT: Single Pole Double Throw (Three way
switch)
DPST: Double Pole Single Throw
DPDT: Double Pole Double Throw (four way
switch)
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