Learn the difference between unipolar switches and bipolar switches

Knowing the different elements that make up an electrical installation is essential when performing any repair . For this reason, we will explain to you what bipolar and unipolar switches are and how they work .

What are the keys?

An electrical switch is a device designed to stop current from flowing through an electrical circuit . When you install any of them, you will find many types such as bipolar and unipolar . In order to operate, they both use a switch that is used to turn the circuit on and off , but they have differences related to the number of cables they need to connect .

What is the function of keys in the house?

Although there are many types, it is generally used in the home to turn on and off the light . A double- pole switch is used , in some cases, to activate household appliances connected to the electrical grid , such as electric water heaters .

What are single pole switches ?

Keys   Mono  Pole are electrical mechanisms , in home lighting , that adopt two modes : on and off . In one position, the current is allowed to pass and in the other it is cut off .

The peculiarity of this lies  Mechanism  In fact, it only cuts one of the two cables needed to install, for example , a light bulb . It is the cable that is popularly called neutral .

What are bipolar switches ?

It is an electrical mechanism , although it can do the same function as a traditional single- pole switch , this device has the peculiarity that it uses two cables to cut off the current , the phase and the neutral .

Voltage enters  The electrician  In our house through 3 cables , one of them is  phase ( brown or black), and the other is  The neutral ( blue), and finally the ground connection ( yellow -green ). stage  The most dangerous is: It is the one that puts the voltage in our house (220 volts), and therefore it is the one that can electrocute us . Neutral is  The cable through which the voltage returns , without it there is no current, but in itself it is not dangerous . The ground connection does not carry any type of voltage and is for safety .

In other words, diodes are those capable of controlling, via a switch, two electrical circuits . Using these switches, you can  Interrupt and resume , i.e. turning the light on and off  using  One crane .

In homes they are the most frequently used on and off electrical items . It is used for electrical appliances in which it is necessary or important to cut off the flow of the two wires of the installation .

Bipolar switches are the safest and most practical . Double- pole switches are safety elements for electrical installations that can prevent more than one button . Column is used to indicate  The number of circuits controlled by the same switch .

In the home, although it can be used as a conventional switch , it is usually used in situations where it is important to completely cut off the supply . Some examples would be :

• To turn on and off the electric water heater
• To turn the gas hood on and off
• Any area that may present an electrical hazard

What is the difference between a single pole switch and a double pole switch?

Single- pole switches are used to turn the light on and off  a certain point . Electrical power is cut off at one point .

It is also  Different from poles  Because of the ease of installing them . We will only need the box with the switch and two terminal screws to be able to locate one in our home or business . On one of the end screws , you will see  Incoming positive wire  communicate  With a terminal, and at the outlet there is another wire  To insert the cable . You can also find another screw to insert the ground wire .

Any device we want to work must have a phase and neutral as well as a ground connection for safety . When we place a switch, it should be installed in such a way that it interrupts the phase . This type of key is called a two- key  Single pole ( single pole ), because it cuts only one wire . But if we want more safety in our electrical appliances , we will install two electrodes ( poles ) that cut off both the phase and the neutral at the same time .

But if the neutral doesn't carry the voltage why would we want to cut it? It's very simple : for safety , you will also avoid charging the clothes and objects around you with static electricity after completing the installation . You may have a malfunction in your electrical installation  Override in neutral  Or return from one of the devices, making the neutral load voltage . If you trust and handle this part of the installation , you may receive a neutral discharge with the corresponding risk . Therefore , it is most recommended  Install double- pole switches  Avoid any kind of danger .