What is a Single Pole Switch

A single pole switch is a simple switch often found in the home; they are easily wired and installed and are very common. Most of our switches are single pole.

What is a Single Pole Switch?

A single pole switch has one input and one output, it has two states; “on” or “off”. They can be wired either normally open or normally closed and can be either latching or momentary.

There are two types of single pole switch, these are “single-pole, single throw” and “single pole double throw”.

Poles and Throws

Pole – a pole refers to the number of separate circuits a switch can control, a single-pole switch can operate one circuit whereas a double pole switch can control two circuits.

Throw – throws refer to many positions can be activated by a switch a single-pole switch will close a circuit in one position whereas a double though will close a circuit in two positions.

Single pole double throw switches are used in applications where an electrical device can be switched between “on” or “standby”. Single pole single throw switches are used in applications where the switch is either “on” or “off” – the connection is made or broken, including light switches. 

What is a Single Pole Switch Used for?

In daily life you may come across many single pole switches – for example;

·         Light switches

·         Alarms

·         Appliance switches (white goods and other household appliances)

There are also more industrial or specific applications;

·         Heavy duty machinery

·         Metal cutting and bending machines

·         Laser machines

·         Surgical equipment

·         Push to talk applications

Single Pole Switches from Herga

Single pole switches account for 95% of our products and the applications they are required for. All of our switches have a single pole option, our ranges include

·         Footswitches

·         Push button Switches

·         Micro Switches

·         Puck Switches

·         Bellows

·         Air Switches

·         Hand Controls

·         Infrared Switches

If you have an application requiring a single pole switch or any type of switch, please contact us.