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How to Hook Up a DPDT Switch

Direct current motors spin in the direction of the applied electrical current. Their ability to reverse direction makes them useful in applications such as tape players where a single motor is used to move the tape in both directions. A double-pole double throw switch makes this possible by reversing the direction of the current, depending on which end of the switch is toggled. Wiring a DPDT switch is simple once you understand how it works.

Things You'll Need

DPDT switch
DC motor
DC power source
White wire
Black wire
Red wire

Instructions

- 1
  Place the switch with the terminal posts facing up on a stable work surface.
- 2
  Connect one wire to each of the power terminals on the DC motor. For this example, use a white wire on each of the terminals. Wire color has no effect on the operation of the switch or motor; using different wire colors just makes it easier to keep track of which side of the power supply you are working with.
- 3
  Connect the white wires from the DC motor to the switch̵7;s center terminals. Since the purpose of the DPDT switch is to reverse the current, it doesn̵7;t matter which wire goes on either of the center terminals.
- 4
  Attach a short section of black wire from the switch terminal on the lower left corner to the terminal on the upper right.
- 5
  Attach a short section of red wire from the switch terminal on the lower right corner to the terminal on the upper left.
- 6
  Set the DPDT switch̵7;s toggle in the center ("Off") position.
- 7
  Connect a piece of black wire from the negative terminal on the power source to the lower left terminal on the switch.
- 8
  Connect the positive terminal on the power source to the lower right terminal on the switch using red wire.

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