Odd I thought I had sent this, but I found it in my draft folder. Please excuse if this is a duplicate. Ron I feel more explanation is needed concerning the three and four way switches. Granted they do break the hot line to the light fixture, but it is done in a way that offers alternate paths. A three way is technically a single pole double throw switch. The identified or odd colored terminal is the common point. It always has continuity with one of the other terminals. Normally called traverls or runners. Flipping the swith merely changes which traverler has continuity with the common. The electricity takes a alternate path.. One might even call it a gate. Seems like in computer jargon a or gate. Anyway this is how a three way set up works, by offering alternate routes for the electricity If the paths don't happen to match then the light will be off.
The four way offers alternate paths also. The way to check a four way is check continuity. Looking at the switch held vertically check from one top terminal to the bottom ones.. One will show continuity. Lets take the position where the terminal directly below the top one has continuity. Now go to the other top terminal it will show continuity to the one directly below it. There will be no continuity between the top terminals or the two bottoms. ones. Flip the switch the continuity will now be diagonal from the top left to the bottom right and from the top right to the bottom left.. Again offering a alternate path the the electricity depending which direction the toggle is flipped. So by having two three and as many four ways as wanted a person can control a light from a theorically infinate number of positions. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lenny McHugh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Handyman-Blind" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:53 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Choosing the Right Light Switch for Your Project | DoItYourself.com While looking for information on voice activated light switches I came across this information. I did notice that the dimmer switch does not mention that it will not work with fluorescent lights. Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/typesoflightswitches Single-Pole Switch · Controls power to lights and devices by turning off the hot side of the circuit. · Mounted in an electrical box. · Has two brass terminal screws. · Controls current from one circuit from one point. Double-Pole Switch · Controls power to lights and devices by turning off the hot side of the circuit. · Mounted in an electrical box. · Has four brass terminal screws Three-Way Switch · Controls power to lights and devices by turning off the hot side of the circuit. · Mounted in an electrical box. · Has three brass terminal screws. · Controls one circuit from two separate points. For example, a light that can be turned on in either the house or garage. It may also include a green grounding screw. Four-Way Switch · Controls power to lights and devices by turning off the hot side of the circuit. · Mounted in an electrical box. · Has four brass terminal screws. · It may also include a green grounding screw. · Used in connection with three-way switches to control one circuit from three or more points. Specialty Switches · A Rocker Switch operates the same as a standard switch, but instead of a toggle, it operates with a rocker action. · A Delayed Action Switch keeps the circuit open for a few minutesafter the switch is turned off. A good use is in a garage where, after the user turns off the switch, it allows the light to remain on in time exit. · A Photoelectric Switch operates with a photoelectric cell. It turns off during the day and turns on during the night. · A Motion Switch turns on the light as you enter the room. Good for both convenience and security. · An Illuminated Switch has a small light that is on when the switch is off so it can be easily found; these are usually used at entrances to rooms and in hallways. Another version is the Pilot Light Switch. · An Outdoor Switch features a turning lever inside a weatherproof box cover with a toggle switch. · A Voice-Activated Switch operates with a voice command Dimmer Switch · Controls the amount of current in a light circuit and allows for varying levels of light. · Usually may be installed in place of standard switches. · They are available in a variety of types, including rotary, toggle and slide. · Dimmers may also interfere with radios and TVs and cause the light bulb to hum. Some dimmers are manufactured with a filter that eases this problem. Line Switch · Used to interrupt the flow of electricity on cords, most often for lamps and appliances. · A variety of styles are available, and they can operate with a toggle, rotary or push-button action. Timers · Turn on lights and appliances at specified intervals and times. · Available for indoor and outdoor applications. · Spring-wound timers for bath fans and spas have a manual on-off switch. courtisy of NRHA.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ Visit the archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following address for more information: http://www.jaws-users.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links
