It s also because the wires feeding electricity to the switch are larger and this is due to the fact that double pole switches are usually used to control 240 volt circuits.

Single switch double pole.

The main difference is that a double pole switch has four hot brass terminals instead of two plus a ground terminal. A double pole switch is usually a bit larger than a single pole one but that isn t just because it has to accommodate two poles instead of one. Like the single pole switch a double pole switch has on off markings and controls a device or equipment from one location. This allows the user to connect it to two pairs of hot wires from a 240 volt circuit. In the case of single and double pole switches they are created in the form of a toggle switch which has an on and an off setting. The main difference between a single pole switch and a double pole switch is related to the number of terminals they have and the number of circuits they control.

A single pole switch controls just one circuit. Some circuits require a double pole switch by regulation but for a normal ring main or radial single pole is sufficient. Single and double pole switches look very similar but have a different number of terminal screws to attach the wires. A double pole switch controls two separate circuits. A switch is said to be open when there is no current flow between two terminals and is closed when the current flows from one terminal to the other. Video of the day.

By flipping the lever these two contacts are simultaneously moved to the open or closed position. A single pole switches live only a double pole switches live and neutral. A double pole switch is like two separate single pole switches that are mechanically operated by the same lever knob or button. The number of throws indicates how many different output connections each switch pole can connect its input to. A single pole switch has only one set of contacts within the plastic insulated enclosure.