toggle switch SPDT vs DPDT

A toggle switch is a type of electrical switch that is commonly used to control the flow of electricity in electronic circuits. The terms SPDT and DPDT are abbreviations that describe the configuration of contacts within a toggle switch.

SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw): In an SPDT toggle switch, there is a single input or "pole" terminal, which can be connected to one of two output terminals or "throws." When the switch is in one position, the input terminal is connected to one throw, and when it is in the other position, the input terminal is connected to the second throw. The SPDT switch provides a simple on/off control with two possible output states.

DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw): In a DPDT toggle switch, there are two input or "pole" terminals, each of which can be connected to one of two output terminals or "throws." This type of switch essentially contains two independent SPDT switches within a single unit. It allows for more complex switching configurations since each pole can control a separate circuit or device. The DPDT switch provides on/off control for two separate circuits simultaneously.

In summary, the main difference between SPDT and DPDT toggle switches lies in the number of poles and throws they have. SPDT switches have one input and two output terminals, while DPDT switches have two inputs and two outputs. The choice between SPDT and DPDT depends on the specific application and the number of circuits that need to be controlled.

【 Go Back 】 | 【 Print 】