In switch terminology, which term describes the number of movable contact positions that determine how many circuits a switch can connect?

In switch terminology, which term describes the number of movable contact positions that determine how many circuits a switch can connect?

• A. Coils
• B. Throws
• C. Poles
• D. Relays

Answer: (B)

Throws describe the number of positions the movable contact can land on, which defines how many circuits a single pole can connect to at once. For example, a switch with one pole and two throws can connect that pole to two different circuits. Coils are the actuator part in relays or solenoids, not about contact positions. Poles refer to how many separate circuits the switch can control, not how many positions exist. Relays are a type of switch acted on electromagnetically, not the term for contact positions. So, the term that matches the number of movable contact positions is throws.

Throws describe the number of positions the movable contact can land on, which defines how many circuits a single pole can connect to at once. For example, a switch with one pole and two throws can connect that pole to two different circuits. Coils are the actuator part in relays or solenoids, not about contact positions. Poles refer to how many separate circuits the switch can control, not how many positions exist. Relays are a type of switch acted on electromagnetically, not the term for contact positions. So, the term that matches the number of movable contact positions is throws.