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caroless · Mar 27, 2008, 09:08 AM

I want to change my light switches to button switches but don't know if I need 2 or 3 way... what is the difference... I am thinking three way has two on/ off points... am I right... if all I need is on/off at one location, do I use 2 way or three way?? :(

ballengerb1 · Mar 27, 2008, 10:24 AM

If you have two locations where you can turn your lights on/off then you have a three way switch in both locations and will need to stay with a 3 way replacement.

KISS · Mar 27, 2008, 01:04 PM

I think bb is confused today and didn't directly answer your question.

One switch that controls a device(s) from a single location uses a 2-way switch. It only has 2 terminals, not including ground.

A 3-way switch CAN be used in a 2-way application, but it's more expansive and would have an unused terminal.

ballengerb1 · Mar 27, 2008, 01:07 PM

I am always open to confusion, my wife confirms it every day. "I am thinking three way has two on/ off points.....am I right." Isn't she saying she can control the lights from two different points/locations?

KISS · Mar 27, 2008, 01:36 PM

That statement is totally confusing and if that was the only statement, I'd need help too.

With "if all I need is on/off at one location, do I use 2 way or three way" makes the answer easy. I'll bet you would get the same answer as I did.

I don't even like those terms: What ever happened with SPST and SPDT and DPDT?
What's this 2-way, 3-way and 4-way switch nonsense anyway? What happens, if I want to control a single light from 5 locations. 5-way switches? No, two 3-ways and three 4-way switches. Give me a break. The description for a two way switch is: An SPST on-none-off toggle switch . No ambiguity whatsoever, but I'm in a different world where there are too many options.

ballengerb1 · Mar 27, 2008, 01:58 PM

I hear you and after rereading the post I must be hanging my hat on "has two on/ off points" otherwise it could go either way. Do you think Carol will be back to help clear this up? PS: 5 locations, wouldn't that be a six way switch? LOL

Stratmando · Mar 27, 2008, 04:22 PM

I also don't like the term 2 way. Like the term"single pole switch"(it makes and breaks a contact, probably what you need.
Single pole, 3 way, and 4 way all switch 2 ways(Up/Down or On/Off).
Like mentioned above, a three way controls from 2 locations, more than 2 locations you can use as many 4 ways between them as you want.