How many terminals does a 2-pole or double pole switch have for connection to wires?

A 2-pole or double pole switch typically has four terminals for wiring. This is because each pole is designed to control one circuit, which means it provides two separate connections for the electrical supply, usually consisting of one terminal for the incoming line and one for the outgoing line for each pole.

The four terminals allow for the switching of two separate live wires, enabling the switch to control two circuits simultaneously or to interrupt two phases in a three-phase system. Having this configuration ensures that both poles can be operated together, making it suitable for applications where it's necessary to disconnect dual circuits at once for safety or operational efficiency. In contrast, options suggesting fewer terminals do not provide the necessary connections for a double pole functionality, as a single pole switch would only have two terminals.