Number of Poles

Poles are the number of completely separate circuits that can be active through a switch at any time. A single pole (SP) switch opens, closes or changes connections in a single conductor of an electrical circuit. A two-pole or double pole (DP) switch is often used to open, close, or change connections in both conductors of the same circuit, or in two separate circuits.

Single Pole Switch

Double Pole Switches

SINGLE THROW/DOUBLE THROW

The throw of a switch is the number of circuit paths that can be controlled by any one pole. Usually the number of "ON" positions that a switch has is the same as the number of throws. A single throw switch (ST) opens or closes a circuit at only one of the extreme positions of its actuator, the most common example being an ON-NONE-OFF switch. A double throw switch (DT) switch opens or closes a circuit at both extreme positions of its actuator, a common example being an ON-NONE-ON switch.

Single Throw - Double Throw

Carling Technologies uses the standard abbreviations below when referencing a switch's configuration of poles and throws:

SPST: single pole, single throw
SPDT: single pole, double throw
DPST: double pole, single throw
DPDT: double pole, double throw

AVAILABLE POLE OFFERINGS

Carling Technologies offers switches from one to four poles.

Single pole offerings include the following switch product series:
Rocker Switches- Contura II & III, Contura IV & V, Contura X & XI, Contura XII, J, L, R, RSC, 611/621, 610/620, 622/632, 651/652, T, LTA, TG/LTG, TLG, TIL, LTIL
Toggle Switches - LT, F, C, D, 110/216, DK/EK, MAAOA/215
Push Button Switches- PP, P, 16-3P, 170/172, P26, P27, 110/316P, 641
Rotary Switches- R135, 700, 800

Double Pole offerings include the following switch product series:
Rocker Switches- Contura II & III, Contura IV &V, Contura X & XI, Contura XII, J, L, RGSC, LRGSC, 611/621, 610/620, 622/632, TG/LTG, TIG, LTIG, TTG
Toggle Switches - LT, G, 110/216, DK/EK
Push Button Switches- 110/316-P, 641

Three-Pole offerings include the following switch product series:
Rocker Switches- TIH, LTIH
Toggle Switches - H

Four-Pole offerings include the following switch product series:
Rocker Switches- TII
Toggle Switches - I