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Yes.

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Denis Block

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1y ago
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13y ago

Yes, but you won't have any indication of when it's on so make certain that you put it in so that the switch is ON when it's up.

To make it work as a one way, use the common connection and either of the other two.

Amendment The above answer applies in North America, where 'on' is 'up'. In other countries, such as the UK, 'on' is 'down'!

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12y ago

Maybe. It's not clear exactly what you mean by "three way switch".

If you're talking about a switch that can connect one input to any of three different outputs (or to none of them), sure: you just hook up one of the outputs and leave the other two open; that way there will be one "on" position and three "off" positions.

Or you could wire two of the outputs together; then there would be two "on" positions and two "off" positions.

If you are wanting to remove one of the three way switches and replace the other switch with a single pole switch, there is a simple way. Technically, you cannot lose the unwanted junction box as the wires have to remain there and covering them in the wall is usually against code. However,

In the switch box where you want to remove the three way switch, disconnect the wires and connect the wire from the common terminal to one of the traveler wires (either of the other two terminals). In the switch box that you are keeping, remove the three way switch. The wire from the common terminal will connect to one of the terminals on the single pole switch. Then (importantly) you have to connect the same traveler wire that you reused in the other box to the second terminal on the switch. The second traveler wire will go unused.

There is a way that you can rewire the switches in total, but it would require some substantial know how and possibly the removal of wall board or ceiling in order to do it. Contact a qualified electrician.

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12y ago

You can use a 3-way switch on its own to switch from a single location. Problem is that such switches are not labeled on and off on the toggle. Needs to be installed so on is up and down is off. Use common and one of the switched terminals and leave the other terminal open.

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14y ago

Yes. Just make sure that you use the common terminal for the hot wire and either of the other two terminals to the load. If you connect across the two other terminals with out the common the switch will not work. When you install the switch make sure that the toggle is down when the switch load is off.

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Q: Can a two way switch be used instead of a one way switch?
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What is the difference between double pole and triple pole?

A single-pole switch is an on/off switch that switches a single wire such as the circuit to your overhead light. A double pole switch is also an on/off switch that switches two wires. You would use this to switch as 240 volt circuit (which requires two hot wires) or if you had two circuit you wanted to switch at the same time. I've used them when I had two large light circuits that required two breakers that I wanted to switch with one switch.


How can you disable one switch of a two way lighting switch?

Put all three wires from the one switch under one terminal.


Can a single pole switch be used to control one light between two single pole switches?

yes


What is the purpose of two way switch?

A two-way switch is a switch that is used in a circuit to allow a current to flow into one of two different further parts of the circuit. Thus the current cannot flow into both parts at the same time.Another answerA two way switch consist of two switches at 2 different locations controlling the same electrical point, usually a single light or a series of lights.This type of connection is usually employed for passages, staircases and corridor lights so that they can pe put ON when entering and put OFF when leaving.


A three way switch is what type of switch?

A three way switch is one of two devices that is used in operating a load from two different positions. This type of electrical circuit is known as three way switching. This terminology is used in North America, in Europe and the UK this type of switching is known as two way switching.

Related questions

Define one way switch?

A "one way switch" or better known as a single pole switch is simply a device that breaks the electrical circuit to a device. ie; A single pole light switch is used to turn off and on lights from one location.


Which is two states when transistor used as a switch?

A:" one state is when it is off the other when it is on"


Do they make a inline switch to cut power on a 240 circuit?

In North America, the use of a two pole single throw switch is used for this purpose. The reason that a two pole switch is used instead of a single pole switch is that code requires that both legs to the 240 volt load has to be broken so as to isolate the load completely from the supply voltage. If a single pole switch was used in this situation one leg of the 240 volt supply would still be "hot" to ground. Someone that is inexperienced with the system could get a nasty shock by just using the switch to isolate the circuit when working on it instead of using the supply breaker to isolate the circuit. In the UK it is a different scenario as the load across the 240 supply returns to a grounded neutral. In this case just a single pole single throw switch will isolate the circuit.


What is the difference between double pole and triple pole?

A single-pole switch is an on/off switch that switches a single wire such as the circuit to your overhead light. A double pole switch is also an on/off switch that switches two wires. You would use this to switch as 240 volt circuit (which requires two hot wires) or if you had two circuit you wanted to switch at the same time. I've used them when I had two large light circuits that required two breakers that I wanted to switch with one switch.


How can you disable one switch of a two way lighting switch?

Put all three wires from the one switch under one terminal.


Can a single pole switch be used to control one light between two single pole switches?

yes


What symbols are used to represent real numbers?

An "R" with two vertical lines instead of just one


What is the purpose of two way switch?

A two-way switch is a switch that is used in a circuit to allow a current to flow into one of two different further parts of the circuit. Thus the current cannot flow into both parts at the same time.Another answerA two way switch consist of two switches at 2 different locations controlling the same electrical point, usually a single light or a series of lights.This type of connection is usually employed for passages, staircases and corridor lights so that they can pe put ON when entering and put OFF when leaving.


How do you wire a DPST switch?

A double pole single throw switch. used to switch two lines at the same time.


What other words can be used instead of to?

two


A three way switch is what type of switch?

A three way switch is one of two devices that is used in operating a load from two different positions. This type of electrical circuit is known as three way switching. This terminology is used in North America, in Europe and the UK this type of switching is known as two way switching.


How do you wire a two way switch one controls the outlet the other the outdoor light with a pigtail?

You need two separate switches. You can get two switches that are in the same form factor as a single switch (2 gang switch). You use one switch for the outlet and the other for the light. You switch the black wires which are "hot".