Too many Poles!!

[Mike2007]

Can someone lay out the need for certain switchgear and their number of poles? Where you find them and their operation.
I have a little bit of confusion over them?

Single pole switch;
Double pole switch;
Triple pole switch;

 

[cheesepuff]

single pole switch - only switches live (used in lightswitches)
double pole switch - switches live and neutral
three pole switch - used in fan isolators where it is a timer fan, or on a three phase supply. please could some sparkies comfirm this.
hope that helps

 

[RF Lighting]

Yeah seems good to me.

DP are usually used on anything containing a heating element, and switched FCUs contain a DP switch.

Single phase consumer units usually have a DP main switch.


Three phase CUs usually have a 3 pole switch, but some may have a 4 pole switch if the neutral is also switched.

 

[securespark]

DP are usually used on anything containing a heating element

Although there is no requirement in the regs to switch the neutral in some circumstances...(is there an icon for putting a spanner in the works?)