Differences between double and single pole Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[rfanucci]

Hi all,

Struggling to find a decent description of the differences between double and signle pole sockets and switches.

Can anybody help?

Also, when is one preferred over the other (unless this is clear in the definition.

Thanks in advance.

Reno

[BLAKEY1963]

[quote="rfanucci"]Hi all,

Struggling to find a decent description of the differences between double and signle pole sockets and switches.

Can anybody help?

Also, when is one preferred over the other (unless this is clear in the definition.

Thanks in advance.

Reno[/quote]

RENO
DOUBLE POLE SWITCHES ACTUALLY ISOTATE 2 SEPARATE
TERMINALS WITHIN THE SWITCH AT THE SAME TIME.
IN SOCKETS , THIS ALLOWS THE LIVE AND NEUTRAL CONNECTIONS TO BOTH BE INTERUPPTED AND ISOLATED AT THE SOCKET SWITCH, NOT JUST THE LIVE.
I HAVE SEEN DOUBLE SOCKETS WITH ONLY THE LIVE BROKEN ( SINGLE
POLE ) AND THE RISKS HERE IS WHEN A NEUTRAL IS CONNECTED INTO LIVE WHICH DOES HAPPEN, THE LIVE IS CONNECTED INTO THE NEUTRAL
LEAVING , THE NEUTRAL POLE CONNECTED BECAUSE OF SINGLE POLE
ARRANGEMENT, AND CREATING A VERY NASTY SHOCK HAZARD, EVEN WHEN SWITCH IS OFF .
HENCE THE NEED FOR DOUBLE POLE TO ISOLATE LIVE AND NEUTRAL
CONNECTIONS.
BLAKEY1963

[rfanucci]

Thank you Blakey.

Probably the most sensible definition I have read and therefore understood too.

I'm very grateful.

Reno