If I understand correctly, this switch is intended to be used for dual switch setups, for instance a light which has a switch at the top and bottom of stairs, so that either switch can be used to turn a light on and off, but can also be used for single switch setups.
The question is, since I'm using this as a single switch setup only, can I use either of the two "hot" connectors on the switch, or do I have to use one in particular? I haven't yet pulled the old switch, so the answer may be evident, but I'm guessing what's in there right now will not have two hot connectors.
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
October 21, 2024, 05:07 PM
parabellum
quote:
Originally posted by 911Boss: This article explains it better than I can.
"You don't need all three terminals on the three-way switch when you're using it as a single pole switch. If you look at the switch, you'll see that the two travelers are arranged across from each other on the switch body, and the common is either underneath or above one of them. The two terminals you should use are the common and the traveler on the same side of the switch body. You might want to cover the other traveler with electrical tape to avoid confusing anyone who services the switch in the future."
"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
October 21, 2024, 07:32 PM
Skins2881
quote:
The two terminals you should use are the common and the traveler on the same side of the switch body.
It really doesn't matter what you use. Just make sure one screw is black. Flip switch so that up is on.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis
October 21, 2024, 08:33 PM
parabellum
So, in that case, the light is activated as long as the circuit is open, and in a dual switch setup, the circuit is open only when both switches are set to allow current to pass though, and if either switch is set to close the circuit, the light will not turn on.
That makes sense.
Why, then, did the author of that web article specify the usage of one particular hot terminal for a single switch configuration?
October 21, 2024, 09:13 PM
Skins2881
Generally the light switch will act as a single pole if the black is on the RH side and the two RH screws are used. Nearly 100 of time they work that way. As long as one is attached to the black terminal, the others are interchangeable, just change orientation 180° if it doesn't work that way.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis
October 21, 2024, 09:19 PM
bubbatime
Buy a single pole switch for $4 and take the guesswork out of it?
______________________________________________________ Often times a very small man can cast a very large shadow
October 21, 2024, 09:30 PM
parabellum
quote:
Originally posted by bubbatime: Buy a single pole switch for $4 and take the guesswork out of it?
When he mentions "the other things"? Yep, you guessed it- wiring a dual pole switch in single pole configuration.
"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
October 21, 2024, 10:51 PM
911Boss
quote:
Originally posted by bubbatime: Buy a single pole switch for $4 and take the guesswork out of it?
$4 hell they are like $1.29 at Home Depot.
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
October 21, 2024, 11:15 PM
parabellum
WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON
October 22, 2024, 12:32 AM
newtoSig765
Reminds me of the story (probably apocryphal) about NASA spending a shit-ton of money to develop a ballpoint pen our astronauts could use in Space.
The Russians gave their cosmonauts pencils.
Couple weeks back I spent under one US Dollar for a single-pole switch at Menards.
But where's the fun in that?
-------------------------- Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H L Mencken
I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is. -- JALLEN 10/18/18
October 22, 2024, 12:33 AM
Rey HRH
Yep. I like it when I can repurpose something I already have. And it's not like you're trying to use a light switch to turn on the faucet.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
October 22, 2024, 09:42 AM
V-Tail
quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
use a light switch to turn on the faucet.
You can do that? Who knew?
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
October 22, 2024, 10:29 AM
whanson_wi
That's why it's got to be a three-way switch, so you can operate the servo for the faucet in both directions.
=== I would like to apologize to anyone I have *not* offended. Please be patient. I will get to you shortly.
October 22, 2024, 10:41 AM
sigmonkey
But do not use it for the toilet...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
October 22, 2024, 12:44 PM
parabellum
WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON AND DO THE OTHER THINGS, NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE WIRED.
October 22, 2024, 01:09 PM
Skins2881
You could probably download an app for that though. Alexa got your back.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis
October 22, 2024, 01:46 PM
Patrick-SP2022
When I was a kid, we had gotten a 45 RPM record with JFK's moon speech on it. I distinctly remember this. What a blast from the past.
/drift
October 22, 2024, 03:10 PM
Rey HRH
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick-SP2022: When I was a kid, we had gotten a 45 RPM record with JFK's moon speech on it. I distinctly remember this. What a blast from the past.
/drift
On that note, as a kid, I recorded Nixon's resignation speech on tape. I carried that tape with me even through the navy and played it from time to time while out at sea. I don't know why. Maybe it struck me as a great speech.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
hell they are like $1.29 at Home Depot.