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DPST vs. DPDT

Timmsie95

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Every wiring diagram I can find uses DPDT switches for coil tap, but the ones warmoth sells are DPST (according to the website)/ So I'm wondering, do I wire it the same as a DPDT?
 
Need to see the schematic to say for certain, but you actually only need a SPST switch to do a coil tap. You can use the others in place of that if that's all you have laying around.
 
I've been using this diagram, except with amini switch instead of a push pull
 

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That configuration is splitting two coils at once, so a DPST is needed. You could use a DPDT, just ignore the opposite throw. It's difficult to tell for certain from that drawing, but that could very well be a DPDT. It really doesn't make any difference. In fact, probably the only people you'd see use a DPST would be OEMs, as the DPST switch might cost 3 or 4 cents less. Most techs would just use the DPDT part to reduce inventory.
 
The one in the diagram looks like a DPDT to me and is indeed splitting the coils of both pickups. When not splitting them all it is doing is joining the north and south coils in series via the red and white wire.

The DPST should do the job the wiring principle is the same, though you might want to check  the terminals in each switch position for continuity so you know physically what to wire to.
 
This is confusing. A DPDT is a double pole, double throw (2-position) switch so is a DPST a double pole single position switch?

Or do you mean SPDT?
 
Throws are not positions. A throw is a signal path. A position is a mechanical orientation. They're often the same, but not always. For instance, it's possible to have a 3 position SPDT switch. In position 1, common to one terminal is closed. In position 2 (center), common isn't connected to anything. In position 3, common is connected to the other terminal. The terminals are the poles, the connections are the throws, and the position is just that - a mechanical position.

 
Has anybody here actually seen a DPST in the standard mini-toggle style? I certainly don't recall ever seeing one. The switch pictured on Warmoth's site is DPDT and that's what I'd be expecting if I ordered one.

MS1.jpg
 
Good point. Is DPST a typo on the mini toggle ?
Which is why I mentioned to check the continuity of the terminals.
 
Yeah, I did think it was kind of odd that they weren't selling DPDT switches, I'm thinking it is a typo.
 
Definitely a typo. The stock image for the switch has six terminals, so it is DPDT.  I've never even heard of anyone selling DPST switches. Those are pretty specialized, given that DPDT switches are standard because of their universal application to SPST, SPDT, DPST and DPDT schemes.
 
DPST do exist and are used quite commonly, for turning off two circuits at once. They're just not common for guitars, because with guitars we usually want to switch between different options, not just turn things off, so we use double throw switches; when we do want to turn things off we usually want to turn everything off, so there's no reason to use a double pole switch. DPST is used in other places, though, like as master light switches for multiple rooms' circuits.

If you'll excuse the crude MSPaint illustration, attached is the difference between a DPST and a DPDT switch, at least as I understand it. The DPDT switches two things between two options each, while the DPST switches two things to nothing.

As far as Warmoth goes, they're certainly shipping DPDT switches, regardless of what some intern may have written on the product description page! :icon_thumright:
 

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If you do actually need a dpst switch specifically, and are unable to find one, try here:

http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Switches/Toggle-Switches/_/N-5g2j?P=1z0z2qgZ1z0z812Z1z0z63x&Keyword=dpst&FS=True
 
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