Help! What do you call a light switch that turns a motor on and off?

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by jpope

When I hear "toggle," I think of a three-position switch. One that has (basically) a forward, off and reverse position.

The Canadian Standards Association *CSA* classifies toggle switches for lighting circuits as general-use switches. These switches are divided into three categories.

Category 1 contains general-use switches used to control
-alternating-current or direct-current circuits.
-resistive loads not to exceed the ampere rating of the switch at rated voltage.
-inductive loads not to exceed one-half the ampere rating of the switch at rated voltage unless the switche is marked with the letter "F".
-tungsten filament lamp loads not to exceed the ampere rating of the switch at 125 volts when the switch is marked with the letter "T".

Category 2 contains those ac general-use switches used to control
-alternating currents only.
-resistive, inductive, and tungsten filament lamp loads not to exceed the ampere rating of the switche at 120 volts.
-motor loads not to exceed 80% of the ampere rating of the switch at rated voltage, but not exceeding 2 horspower.

Category 3 contains those 347 V ac switches use to control...

Toggle switches are available in four types: single-pole, three-way, four-way, and double pole.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Thanks for the info Marcel. . .

[Nick Gromicko]

Thanks guys!

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...

[Nick Gromicko]

Something funny Paul?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Yep.....alot of names for a " Switch "

[Joseph Tribuzio]

Power supply switch

[Frank P. Newman]

Most industrial electrical equipment manufacturers sell such a device. They look like s ingle pole switch externally but are actually (as Marc said ) "Manual Motor Starters".