What Do “Poles” and “Throws” Actually Mean?  A pole refers to the number of separate inputs on a switch controlled by a single actuator. A throw refers to how many different outputs each input can connect to.  For example:  As you move from single to double pole, the number of circuits a switch can control … Continue reading Single Pole, Double Pole, and Everything In Between: Understanding SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT Switches