Uses of switches

Front and back door switches

You sometimes need two switches to switch on one buzzer. This would be like a house with a doorbell that you could ring from either the back door or the front door.


The next circuit shows you how to do this. Try and explain how it works.

Making an electric motor go forwards or backwards

You can use two batteries and two push switches to make a motor change direction.

The next circuit shows you how to do this. Try and explain how it works.

(When you let the push switch go it opens automatically.)

What will happen if you hold down both switches at the same time?





There is another way of making the motor change direction using one two-way switch and you can see this in the next circuit.

What are the differences between this and using two push switches?

Switching on a light from upstairs or downstairs

Using the next circuit you can turn a light on and off from upstairs or downstairs.

Try and explain how it works.