This a single pole or 3 way switch?


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Old 11-11-11, 07:23 PM
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This a single pole or 3 way switch?

Attaching a picture of my situation


Thanks
 
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Old 11-11-11, 07:59 PM
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Single pole. Why are you asking?
 
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Old 11-11-11, 09:14 PM
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Just making sure, so the bottom wire is 2 wires going into the same hookup? I thought it might have been a 3 way because of the 3 wires + ground.
 
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Old 11-11-11, 09:35 PM
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Three-way switches are still "single pole". A three-way is a single pole, double throw. A straight on-off is a single pole, single throw.
 
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Old 11-12-11, 11:26 AM
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The two wires at the bottom connection are power in and power out. The switch controlled hot is at the top.
 
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Old 11-12-11, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by pcboss View Post
The two wires at the bottom connection are power in and power out. The switch controlled hot is at the top.
That would be my assumption but are we sure? Although the OP did not post what the switch controls, it could be two switch legs. Do not assume the two wires are the hot unless checked with a meter.
 
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Old 11-12-11, 12:41 PM
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You guys are so electrically smart...sometimes you complicate the easy stuff...lol

Assuming its a toggle switch by the size, the easy way to tell if its a 3 way switch or not is to look for ON and OFF embossed on the toggle. Don't even need to remove it.

Of course I know you all can immediately tell by looking at the back.
 
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Old 11-12-11, 02:44 PM
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Scott I had thought about posting that it could be one in with two out but did not want to confuse so I went with the more common setup.
 
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Old 11-12-11, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Gunguy45 View Post
You guys are so electrically smart...sometimes you complicate the easy stuff...lol

Assuming its a toggle switch by the size, the easy way to tell if its a 3 way switch or not is to look for ON and OFF embossed on the toggle. Don't even need to remove it.
4-way switches don't have ON and OFF markings either.
 
 

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