What kind of toggle switch is this?

Sep 25, 2005 11 Replies

I bought a "DPDT Center Off Toggle" but it doesn't work the way I thought. It has 6 poles and they assume that the middle 2 poles are common to each On circuit.


1 6
2 5 Common
3 4

On position One: 1-2, 6-5 Center Off On position Two: 3-2, 4-5


This is not what I need. I have two seperate circuits which should't be hooked together in any way. There is no Common connection. I really only need 4 poles, with center off. Example:



A B C D



On position One: A-B Center Off On position Two: C-D


Does someone make a simple switch like this? What would it be called? That is, what would I ask for. Thanks for any information.........


Note: I don't want to use relays or more switches. This is being used on a car and there is little room for extra stuff lke more wires, switches, or circuits. The kind of switch I need seems so simple, but I can't find it and I'm not sure what to ask for.



This is a double pole, double throw (DPDT)

This is a double pole, single throw (DPST)

Yes, It's a common switch. Ask for a DPST toggle switch. You can probably find one at a good hardware store or an auto parts store.

Sounds like you already have what you need.

Connect the center two "poles" together with nothing else connected to them.

Run A and B to the same side of one edge of the switch, and C and D to the opposite side.

With the switch in the center, nothing is connected to anything else.

With the switch toggle on one end A is connected to B.

With the toggle at the other end C is connected to D.

Isn't that what you want?

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In our normal terminology, a pole is one circuit - what you are calling a pole is really called a terminal. So, terminals 1, 2, and 3 form one pole, and 4, 5, and 6 form a second pole. Terminals 2 and 5 are the moving arms of the switch and will (with most toggle switches) connect to the end terminals opposite to the handle position. As you have numbered the terminals, if the switch handle is up, you will have connections between terminals 2 and 3, and between 5 and 4.

Use the DPDT switch that you have.

Connect your A and B to terminals 1 and 2, and your C and C to 4 and

5.
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

No - he needs the DPDT - he doesn't want any connection between A-B and C-D

Peter Bennett, VE7CEI peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

default wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

THANKS!!!!

I'm so ashamed...I should have seen that ;-) You saved me a bunch of trouble. I got it all going now. You just earned

3 brownie points, 4 kudo's, and a bunch of good karma.

use the switch you have.

A=1 B=2 C=5 D=4

Bye. Jasen

except DPST switches don't stop in the centre (easily) and typically don't have two on positions,

no.

Bye. Jasen

You are correct, I was careless in reading his description.

Tnx

Don

i am sure they make switches that have DPDT with one switch contact removed but i don't understand why you can't use what you have? you simply use 1-2 for the A-B and 5-6 for the C-D ? 3 and 6 just arn't connected to anything.

Real Programmers Do things like this. http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

That'll work. Two terminals at diagonal corners on the switch aren't connected . . .

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I'm always amazed at what can be done with a few switches and a steering diode or two and a little logical thought.

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