Difference between one way switch and two way switch?

Answer 1

A 'one way' switch is typically considered a 'single pole' switch with essentially one contact for the connection of an electrical circuit.

A 'two way' switch probably refers to what is considered a 'three way' switch. where a single, common terminal can be connect to one of two possible contact points. (One incoming wire, and two potential 'outgoing' connections.

A single pole switch is typical used when a device (light switch, fan, receptacle) only needs to be controlled from one location. A 'three way switch' is used when a device needs to be controlled from more than one (I.E. the top and bottom of a stairway, at both ends of a hallway)

A three way switch allows for a device to be controlled independently from two locations, regardless of the position of the other switch.

Answer 2

A "single pole" switch simply takes two wires and either connects them - "on" or doesn't connect them - "off" More correctly speaking, it can connect the common terminal to one and only one other wire.

On the other hand, a three-way switch takes one wire and connects it to one of two other wires. The actual name for a three way switch is a "double-pole" switch. This is because the common wire can connect to *two* other wires, one at a time.

If the switch is up - the common connects to one of the two

If the switch is down - the common connects to the other wire.

Imagine you have three wires - a black wire, a red wire, and a blue wire. Like this:

|

|

| (red wire)

*

. <----------- (black wire - common "movable" wire)

*

| (blue wire)

|

|

|

The black wire can move to touch (connect) to *either* the red wire, *OR* the blue wire.

On the other hand, the single pole switch works like this:

|

|

| (one wire)

*

.<----------- (the other wire)

*

... Note, *no* "third" wire, so when the black wire moves, it can either connect to the one wire, or connect to nothing. (on-off)

Answer 3

A pair of 'two-way' switches is used to allow a lamp to be operated from two different locations, such as from the bottom or top of a staircase. In North America, for some odd reason, a 'two-way switch' is called a 'three-way switch'. So, 'two-way switch' = British terminology); 'three-way switch' = US terminology.

Answer 4

Answer for UK, Europe and countries running a 50 Hz supply service.

One way switch only switch once i.e one off or on and it only has two points. This switch can work alone in a circuit. A two way switch switches twice i.e two on and two offs. It has 3 points, one is the common point and the other two wires are connected to the two other points of another two way switch. It cannot work alone but must always have another two way switch connected to it otherwise it will work like a one way switch.

Answer 5

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

You can but if the second switch is left in the wrong position then the whole circuit will not work.

Comment

To avoid confusion, it's worth pointing out, here, that what North Americans call a 'three-way switch', Europeans call a 'two-way switch'! This type of switch is installed whenever one wishes to operate a lamp from either of two alternative positions -e.g. from the top and bottom of a stairway.

The European convention is that a 'way' refers to the position the moveable switch contact can assume, whereas the American convention appears to refer to the number of terminals.

Answer 6

Hi, I work at a lighting store so I have experience with this. Yes, you can change the socket to a 3 way if you have an on-off socket. All you need to do is buy the new socket and change it out with your old one. It should wire the same. If you are having any problems, try taking it to a local lighting showroom or electrical supply store and they can usually show you how or replace it for you for a small fee.

A "2 way" switch is usually referred to as a single pole switch. It turns a light, fan, or other device on and off from one location. The switch usually has the designations "on" and "off" stamped on it.

Three way switches are used in pairs and turn a light, fan, or some other device on and off from two locations. there can be no designation stamped on them because sometimes the switch will be on when it is up and sometimes it will be on when it is down.

If you want to use a three way switch to replace a single pole switch, yes, absolutely.

You will simply remove the single pole switch which has two poles (or screws) and connect the wire from one of the screws to the terminal on the three way switch marked "common". The second wire will attach to either of the other two screws on the three way switch. Once hooked up, you may have to turn the switch over so that the toggle will be up when the device is on.

NOW, if there are more than one wire on either or each of the terminals on the original switch, you will have to connect it the same way on the new switch. Do not connect any of the wires to the third screw of the three way switch. AND definitely do not connect any insulated wire (unless it is green) to the green screw on the new switch.

Answer 7

A three way switch is one of two devices that is used in operating a load from two different positions. This type of electrical circuit is known as three way switching. This terminology is used in North America, in Europe and the UK this type of switching is known as two way switching.

Answer 8

A one-way switch controls a single light from one location, while a two-way switch allows control from two separate locations, such as at the top and bottom of a staircase. Two-way switches are commonly used in areas where multiple access points are needed to control the same light fixture.

Answer 9

Yes.