Difference Between One-way Electrical Switches and Two-way Electrical Switches • Categorized under Industrial | Difference Between One-way Electrical Switches and Two-way Electrical Switches One-way Electrical Switches vs Two-way Electrical Switches Electrical switches are very simple devices that are used to turn things on and off. The most common type of switches is the one that we use to turn our lights on and off. Very little has changed in how switches work since when they were invented. Although there are many types of switches, we are more accustomed to one-way and two-way electrical switches. The main difference between them is the number of contacts that they have. A one-way switch only has two contacts while a two-way switch has three. A one-way switch basically operates as a make or break switch. When it is turned on, the two terminals are connected, and when it is turned off, the contact between the two is broken. In contrast, a two-way switch is basically two, o