1.

11 SWITCH
SERVICE SWITCH
The purpose of the electric service switch
is to disconnect all the electric service in
the building except emergency equipment.
Thus in the event of fire, no electrical
hazard will face fire fighters. It is therefore
obvious that this disconnecting apparatus
must be located at a readily accessible spot
near the point the service conductors enter
the building. The service switch or "service
disconnecting means" may comprise one to
six properly rated switches. These are
frequently assembled into a switchboard.
1.11 SWITCH

 A Switch is a device that open or

closed the circuitry in an electric
circuit.
 An electrical switch is a device
intended for on/off control of an
electrical circuit and is rated by
current and voltage, duty, poles and
throw, fusibility and enclosure.
Unless otherwise noted, a switch is assumed to be single throw. Since the
NEC states generally that the grounded neutral conductor of a circuit should
not be broken, most switches carry the neutral through unbroken, by means
of a solid link within the switch. This gives· rise to the term Solid Neutral
(SN) Switch. Switches are available in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-pole construction.
Poles are indicated by a "P"; thus 3-pole is written "3P", and so on.
A switch may be constructed with or without provision for fusing. If
provided, the switch is fusible; if not, the switch is nonfusible.
SWITCHES ARE CLASSIFIED INTO:
1. General use switch
2. General use snap switch
3. AC General use snap switch
4. AC-DC General use snap switch
5. Isolating Switch
6. Motor Circuit Switch
1. General use switch is intended for use in the
general distribution and branch circuit rated in
amperes. It is capable of interrupting the rated
current at a rated voltage .

2. The General use snap switch is a form of

general use switch installed in flush device
boxes or outlet box cover.

3. The Isolating Switch is a switch intended for

isolating electric circuit from the source of
power .