- 1). Check whether the toggle switch stays in the new position when flipped. If the switch does stay in position, it is a maintained-contact switch. A toggle switch which returns to its original position after flipping is a momentary-contact switch.
- 2). Notice if the maintain-contact switch has two or three positions to further classify the switch.
- 3). Examine the functions of each position of a two-position maintained-contact switch to determine if it is an on-off switch. In this case, each position has a specific function. In an alternate on-off switch, toggling the switch to a position alternates the state of the circuit regardless of the direction of the move.
- 4). Scrutinize each position of a three-position maintained-contact switch to determine if it is a center-off switch, in which the center position closes the circuit, or not a center-off switch, in which the center position does not close the circuit.
- 5). Count the number of possible positions in a momentary-contact switch. It can have two or three positions.
- 6). Review the function of each position of a three-position momentary-contact switch to determine whether or not it is a momentary center-neutral switch, in which the center position has an off or neutral function.
- 7). Test the circuitry of the switch and count how many branch circuits the switch opens or closes. This determines if there is a single pole the switch opens or closes in a single branch circuit. On a double-pole switch, it opens or closes one or both of two branch circuits.
- 8). Investigate the circuitry of the switch and count how many conductors the switch controls. This determines if the switch is a single-throw, which controls the connection of a single conductor. The other option is a double-throw switch that controls two conductors.
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