how switches work

[fogwolf]

I apologize in advance if I've overlooked this information on the board, but would someone mind explaining to me how DPDT and 3PDT switches work exactly, especially how the connections relate? One thing I'm a little confused about is why there is a 3rd pair of connections on a DPDT switch - seems like there would be 4. For example if you look at the wiring diagram on page 2 here: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_amp_aby.pdf - what is happening exactly with the middle 2 connections connected to the grounded 2nd DPDT switch? Switching this 2nd grounded switch seems to activate both A & B on the 1st switch (the 'Y' state in the A/B/Y) but how? Also for the 3PDT switch I'm sure it's similar but what does the 3rd set of connectors do? Again, I'm sorry, I feel like this information is all probably somewhere, but all I've found online so far is 'here is how you wire these switches for this project' or 'these switches allow true bypass' but not much beneath the surface about *how* the connectors work or why they allow true bypass. Thanks!

[The French connection]

Hi and welcome if it's has not been done! Some pictures equal a thousands words...

http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Switches/
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/articles/elbypass.html
http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=DIY_FAQ#TRUE_BYPASS_AND_SWITCHING

[R.G.]

Go to the source.

See "The Technology of Bypass Switching" http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/bypass/bypass.htm

[fogwolf]

Thanks for the welcome and the links - very helpful.

Hi and welcome if it's has not been done! Some pictures equal a thousands words...

http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Switches/
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/articles/elbypass.html
http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=DIY_FAQ#TRUE_BYPASS_AND_SWITCHING

[The French connection]

Go to the source.

See "The Technology of Bypass Switching" http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/bypass/bypass.htm

Mr. R.G. is right, don't be afraid and go deeper at Geofex...