How do multiple light switches work?

Question

I know about circuits and a single switch. But the multiple light switches really confuse me. They don’t have a set position for off and on. They essentially reverse the state of the light bulb. So how do they work?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

/u/jammin-john is exactly right. For the visual learners, though, [here’s a good wiring diagram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching#/media/File:3-way_switches_position_2.svg) for circuits with two SPDT switches. Using DPDT switches, you can have [three or more switches]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching#Traveler_system_2) serving the same circuit, any one of which can reverse the state of the light.