correct name for a type of toggle switch?

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Maybe I’m imagining things, but I thought that once in the dim past I used a toggle switch with three positions: off (center), ON_1 (load 1 connected), ON_BOTH (both loads 1 and 2 connected). Kind of thing you’d use for high and low lighting from, say, a DC fixture with two separate bulbs or emitters :slight_smile: (which happens to be my application).

I’m trying to remember what it was called. I see a lot of simple on-off-on switches out there which connect a common to contact 1 or contact 2, but so far scoring zero on the more complicated “1 or 1+2” kind. Not remembering its official name/type, it’s hard to track one down.

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Answering my own question (funny how that happens – just as I give up on my failing memory and post a cry for help, finally it comes back to me)… the switch in question is a six-terminal SPDT 3-position (on-off-on). The magic search term is “6 terminal”. Just in case anyone else is looking for one :slight_smile:

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http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/s … hrows.html

A common variation of a double throw switch is to have a middle position that does not connect to either output. Often called center open, this type of switch has three positions, but only two throws. For example, an SPDT center open switch can switch one input between either of two outputs, but in its center position, neither output is connected.

So search for a DPDT W/CENTER OFF or a 2 POLE 2 THROW W/CENTER OFF. You’ll end up using only 1 pole in the ON_1 position.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ON-OFF-ON-Doubl … 0845344736

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Not sure if it’s the kind of switch you’re thinking of, but a DPCO (double pole, center off) or DPTT/2P3T (double pole, triple throw) / double on-off-on switch would do the trick. Essentially these are similar to a single switch with 3 positions, where the center position connects the middle pin to nothing, and e.g. ‘up’ connects to one pin, and ‘down’ to the other, except that internally there are 2 such rows of connections, with still just the single physical actuator. You’d connect it somewhat like this:

L     N
|     |----------------------.
|     |                      |
|   LAMP1-.---U1      U2---LAMP2
|         |
'---------c---C1------C2
          |
          '---D1      D2---(not connected)

Edit: Aw, drawing the ASCII pushed me outside of the window of time for a timely reply :wink:

Edit2: And adding that edit got Mee_n_Mac squeezed in! Oi! :smiley:

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Kamiquasi:
Edit2: And adding that edit got Mee_n_Mac squeezed in! Oi! :smiley:

But my edit pushed me back out ! :mrgreen:

@Rootless - you need 2 poles. Look at Kami’s diagram (but w/contact D1 also connected to lamp1). Each pole switches a separate load, keeping the loads separate except in that 1 position.

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D1 is connected to LAMP1 - I even put in a little schematic wire hop ‘c’ so it wouldn’t appear short-circuited with C1-C2 :sunglasses:

( in hindsight, it would have been much faster to just draw it up graphically :doh: )

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Aaahh I see it … now. :oops: :shifty:

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Hey, speaking of switch terminology…

Here: http://www.delcity.net/store/Heavy!Duty … 789015.t_1

Can someone tell me what the difference is on the following?

DPDT On-Off-On Toggle Switch

DPDT (On)-Off-(On) Toggle Switch

DPDT On-Off-(On) Toggle Switch

What are the parentheses implying? I see no difference in the datasheets; prices are different too.

BTW, do they make 12-24VDC 25+A slide-switches? I haven’t seen any.

-IdahoMan

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From your link above ;

( ) indicates momentary action.

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So it’s right there in front of me.

Of course. :S

Thanks.