Switches

Question 1

What is a switch used for?

Answer 1

It is used for making, breaking, or changing connections in an electrical circuit under conditions of load

Question 2

What is a switch not designed for?

Answer 2

Interruption of a circuit under short circuit conditions such as a circuit breaker or fuse

Question 3

Switches may be classified in several different ways, what are they?

Answer 3

According to:

number of poles/phases
number of closed positions 
type of contact 
number of breaks 
method of insulation 
method of operation 
to enclosure 
protection provided by circuits 
type of service

Question 4

examples of numbers of poles/phases?

Answer 4

single pole, double pole, triple pole

Question 5

example of closed positions?

Answer 5

single throw, double throw

Question 6

examples of types of contact?

Answer 6

knife blade, butt contact, mercury

Question 7

examples of numbers of breaks?

Answer 7

single break, double break

Question 8

examples of method of insulation?

Answer 8

air break, oil immersed

Question 9

examples of methods of operations?

Answer 9

operating force, mechanism

Question 10

examples of enclosure?

Answer 10

open, enclosed

Question 11

examples of types of service?

Answer 11

power, wiring switches

Question 12

What is a pole/phase of a switch?

Answer 12

used for making or breaking of a connection

Question 13

What are three-way positions used for?

Answer 13

To control lights from two different locations

Question 14

how do three-way switches work?

Answer 14

they break the circuit of only one side of the line

Question 15

What are four-way switches uses for?

Answer 15

used in conjunction with two 3-way switches when you want to control lights from 3 or more locations