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How to Wire Your Own Reversing Switch for a DC Motor

In the world of robotics, motors are used for forward and reverse motion. To prevent rewiring the motor every time, wire a reversing switch which allows you to reverse the direction of the motor with minimal effort. This helps save both time and energy. Double-pole double-throw switches are commonly used for this task. These switches allow you to connect the power source to the switch in two different ways. Once complete, thee switch determines how the motor is connected to the power source.

Things You'll Need

Red electrical wire
Black electrical wire
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
12-volt battery
Double pole double throw switch
12-volt motor

Instructions

- 1
  Place the double-pole, double-throw switch on a work table. Set the switch so that the switch handle moves left to right or vise versa. These switches have six terminals. Label the two terminals on the left "A" and "B." Label the two pins in the middle "C" and "D." Finally label the two pins on the right "E" and "F."
- 2
  Cut six piece of electrical wire. Three of these wires should be red and three should be black. Use the wire strippers to remove 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of all six wires. Use red electrical wire to connect the positive terminal of the battery to terminal "A" of the switch. Connect a second red wire from terminal "A" to "F" of the switch.
- 3
  Connect a black wire between the negative terminal of the battery and terminal "B" of the switch. Connect a second black wire from terminal "B" to terminal "E".
- 4
  Connect a red wire from terminal "C" to the positive teminal of the motor. Next, connect terminal "D" to the negative terminal of the motor using a black wire. If you move the switch handle to the left, the motor will run in one direction. If you move it to the right, it will reverse directions.

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