I'm looking for a special switch, these switches are very common in machines and other pieces of equipment, but I've never seen one used in a house before.

But the switch needs to fit in a regular electrical work box. (like a regular light switch does)

What I need is a switch, where, it has three posistions. The middle position is "OFF", and in the "up position" closes on set of contacts, and in the "down position" closes a different set.

The reason I want/need this switch, is I'm looking to prevent two components, or "loads" from running at the same time. Thus forcing the person operating the switch to choose one or the other.

This is a "double-throw" switch, and is available at an electrical supply house. They are NOT cheap though. I think the last one I bought was around $50. :eek:

Actually, thinking about it, do you need to have two separate set of contacts? As in a different feed for each load?

If so then you need a double-pole double-throw switch. You can use one pole for one load and the other pole for the other load.

Keep in mind, you WILL need to use a handle tied breaker for these circuits since you will have two circuits on one device yoke.

This attached page has both maintained and momentary and both single pole and double pole, take your pick:

http://www.hubbell-wiring.com/Press/PDFS/WDKCatalog/page0153.pdf

Thank you all, I have bookmarked the hubble page. I think that will do nicely.