What is a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switch?


Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switch

A Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) switch is a switch that has 2 inputs and 4 outputs; each input has 2 corresponding outputs that it can connect to.

DPDT Diagram

Each of the terminals of a double pole double switch can either be in 1 of 2 positions. This makes the the double pole double switch a very versatile switch. With 2 inputs, it can connect to 4 different outputs or reroute a circuit into 4 different modes of operation.

A Double Pole Single Switch is actually two single pole double (SPDT) switches.

Double Pole Double Throw Switch (DPDT) Circuit

Below is an example of a circuit which utilizes a double pole double throw switch.

Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switch Circuit

You can see above how a double pole double throw switch can allow a circuit to be in 1 of 4 modes. Circuit A is connected to a lamp and an LED. When is the switch is one way, the lamp is on and the LED is off. When the switch is flipped the other way, the LED is on and the lamp is off. Circuit B is connected to a buzzer and a speaker. When the switch is one way, the buzzer is on and the speaker is off. When the switch is flipped the other way, the speaker is on and the buzzer is off.

This shows the dynamic 4-mode capacity that DPDT switches allow.

Related Resources

Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) Switch

Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) Switch

Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) Switch



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