What Difference Between...

David Loukides

David Loukides

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
1,363
Hi Guys,
My Home made belt grinder motor switch burned up. (not the motor)
What is the difference between single pole or double pole switches.
Both are single throw.
One has two terminals the other has 3 terminals.

The original has 2 terminals, is 20a @120vac. It's rated for 1.5 hp.
 
Single pole will only turn on or off one leg, like a 120v light switch is a single pole single throw. most will have 3 connector terminals line, neutral and ground

Double pole Single throw Is what you want if your using a 220v motor. turns off both line in legs at the same time.
 
I think you have a single pole-double throw switch if it has three wiring screws (plus the ground). It would be used for wiring a three-way circuit or for a reversing switch on 120VAC or a DC circuit.
If wiring 220VAC, you want a double pole switch, which will have four contacts (double pole-single throw) or six (double pole - double throw).
Stacy
 
I used a replacement table saw power switch that cost about 12 dollars. I think I bought it at Grainger. They are made to handle a lot of current unlike most light switches. They also come with their own box. You can also order them through the hardware store, or industrial suppliers like MSC and Stellar Tool.
 
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