Why do some electrical switches disconnect the phase and neutral wire but some disconnect only one wire ?

Question

Why do some electrical switches disconnect the phase and neutral wire but some disconnect only one wire ?

In: 8

Answer 1

Because someone got lazy and didn’t need it inspected.

You are only supposed to switch the power. it goes power->switch->outlet/fixture, never power->fixture->switch.

If you put power on the fixture and switch the other side, your fixture is always sitting at 120/240V and is a hazard. Power then switch means you can turn power off and the fixture is now at 0v and safe to handle.