TYPES OF

SWITCHES
BUILDING SERVICES-II
GORESH SAINI
1999005
INTRODUCTION
• A switch in an electronic device is used to interrupt
the flow of electricity or electric current.
• Electrical switches are binary devices, they can be
either completely off or completely on.
• In simple English, a switch is an electronic device
which is used to break or make the electronic circuit.

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TYPES OF SWITCHES DEPENDING
ON THE SPECIFICATIONS
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ONE-WAY (SINGLE-POLE)
ELECTRICAL SWITCH
• A one-way or single-pole electrical switch is the most
common one in use.
• They are used to control lights, fans, or other devices from
a single location.
• A single-pole or one-way electrical switch generally comes
with two brass-colored screw terminals and is connected to
the “hot” (current-carrying) wire, which is usually black.
• One of the brass terminals is for the incoming hot (current-
carrying) wire, and the other terminal is for the outgoing
hot (current-carrying) wire to the device.
• Most of the one-way switches also include a ground
terminal for connecting the circuit’s ground wire.
• A one-way switch basically operates as a make or break
switch. When it is turned ON, the two terminals are
connected, and when it is turned OFF, the contact between
the two is broken.

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TWO-WAY (DOUBLE-POLE)
ELECTRICAL SWITCH
• A two-way or double-pole electrical switch is generally used
in industrial applications but can also be found in some
home wiring systems.
• These switches control a device or equipment from more
than one location. A double-pole switch has four hot brass
terminals (instead of two terminals like a one-way). It also
has a ground terminal, allowing you to connect it to two
pairs of hot wires.
• A two-way or double-pole switch is basically two, one-way
switches combined into one.
• One of the terminals can be connected to either of the
remaining two but both the terminals cannot be connected
at the same time.
• When you want to make a connection with one terminal,
the connection with the other is broken.

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 CLASSIFICATION
• Single Pole : Single pole electrical switches also known as toggle switches. It controls just one circuit. Such type of
switches has single input and single output. A single-pole switch turns a light on and off from one location. These
are most common switches found in the home. And these are easy to operate.
• Double Pole : Double Pole electric switches control to separate circuits. A double pole switch is like separate single-
pole switches that are mechanically operated by the same lever, knob, or button. These are also very easy to
handle.
• Three Way switches : A three-way switch consists two brass screws, a green screw and a darker colored screw.
Using three-way switches, light can be control from two different locations. The three-way switch does not have
the toggle handle switched. That is because one position does not mean that is necessarily on or off. It depends on
the position of another switch.
• Four-way switch : when you are using four way switch then it is recommended to hire a professional because its
installation is not easy. A four way switch has four terminals each with two pairs of travelers.
• Multi-location switch : Multi location switch is the interconnection of two or more electrical switches which are
used to control an electrical load from multiple locations. For example, this allows lighting in a hallway, stairwell or
large room to be controlled from multiple locations.
• Dimmer switch : Dimmer switches allows you to turn the light in several subtle shades.

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TYPES OF SWITCHES DEPENDING
ON USAGE
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BELL PUSH SWITCH
• A Bell Push switch is connected to a doorbell. So, when the
switch is pushed, it rings the bell connected to it.
• It can be used at homes, offices or at any other place
wherever required.
• A Bell Push switch always maintains a broken circuit, unless
the button is pressed.

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SMART SWITCH
• The smart switch is the newest type of switch that's
becoming more popular because of its convenience. The
switch allows you to control your lights from anywhere in
the house, even from bed.
• Most smart switches are multi-way switches, or three-way
or four-way switches, that are controlled remotely.
• Most smart switches need a neutral connection because
they need to have a little power on at all times.
• Since other types of switches do not require neutral
connections, you will need to have an electrician run a new
cable.
• Other smart switches do not require a neutral connection
and instead connect to the internet through a hub.
• Be sure to buy a smart switch that's compatible with your
hub or voice-automation system and the lights you need to
control.

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DO NOT DISTURB SWITCH
• Entirely different from the regular switches available in the
market, this soft touch operating switch is generally used in
places like hospitals and hotels.
• Do Not Disturb Switch is generally used to ensure privacy
and silence.

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LIGHT DIMMER /
STEPLESS REGULATOR
• A light dimmer/stepless regulator is used to control or
change the speed of a fan or sometimes to change the
intensity of a light between bright and dim.
• The regulators available earlier used to rotate in steps, each
step representing a definite level of fan speed, but the Light
Dimmer/Stepless Regulator allows you to rotate it freely
without any steps or levels.

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DIFFERENT SWITCH BRANDS

• ANCHOR • POLYCAB
• C&S ELECTRICAL • SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
• CLIPSAL • SIEMENS
• GM • SIMON
• GREAT WHITE • STANDARD
• HAVELLS • NORTH WEST [WIPRO]
• HPL • LARSEN AND TOURBO [L&T]
• LEGRAND • ABB
• ORBIT • CORUM
• ORPAT • CRABTREE
• PHILIPS • ETC.

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