Electrical toggle switches are characterized by the presence of some type of handle or lever (also known as an actuator) that opens and closes an electric circuit.
Types of Toogle Switches
Toggle switches are available in many different styles and sizes, and are used in countless applications from commercial to industrial. Electric toggle switches for the majority are either single-pole or double-pole. They handle various current loads, and may connect to one or more terminals when switched.
A Single Pole-Single Throw (SPST) toggle switch would open or close one circuit between two terminals. A Single Pole-Double Throw (SPDT) toggle switch would connect one terminal to either of two terminals (three-terminals in all). A Double Pole-Single Throw (DPST) toggle switch has four terminals that connect or disconnect two pairs of terminals simultaneously, and a Double Pole-Double Throw (DPDT) toggle switch (six terminals) connects one pair of terminals to either of two other terminal pairs.