Foo - Need help finding switches

I'm lost in Digikey. I am looking for switches described as:

4 pole 3 way switch --- wafer type


What is the "pole"? I am looking on DIgikey, but I can't find a switch that claims to be "4 pole", or even 3 way at that. Can somebody help me out?

poles = leads on bottom posi 1, posi,2 , posi 3 , ground

it is a three position toggle switch with a ground it sounds like. but truth be told i have brain damage and my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. wikipedia or google that stuff.

A pole is an isolated switch path in the switch assembly. 4 pole means the switch could operate 4 separate independent circuits. 3 way probably means each pole has 3 possible operating positions, with 3 contacts for possible on-off-on operation. BUT, 3 way in house lighting switches means a special switch used where you have 2 separate wall switches to control one light bulb - you can turn the bulb on or off from either switch, no matter whether it is up or down.

Wafer infers this is a rotary switch, where the contacts are on round phenolic/plastic discs and discs can be stacked for more poles.

So what are you actually trying to do?

Alright, thanks everybody.

I am trying to make a circuit off a schematic. Going to be etching a board for the first time :)

In the past I have found all sorts of stuff here that I have not been able to find anywhere else... http://www.mcmaster.com/

Yea, I try to avoid ordering from McMaster. You can get all sorts of stuff and have it shipped next day, for a very hefty price.

Maybe post the schematic for us to check. I assume you are running wires from your circuit board to this switch. The 3 way thing can be interpreted several ways, especially in a rotary switch.

pc2 you are always up to something mechanical aren't you, do you finish all of your projects?

Digi-Key Part Number 451-1030-ND (http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=451-1030-ND)

Electroswitch C5/C6 - SERIES SPECIFICATIONS (http://www.electro-nc.com/rotaryus/c5_6.pdf)

McMaster-Carr's shipping rates are VERY fair. The only reason they're able to "overnight" everything so cheaply, is because of their strategically located warehouses. If you want to defray shipping costs, simply add more products to your order. Throw in those odd bolts, brackets and unusual stock you're going to need anyway, and isn't readily available elsewhere.

Awesome Business Model (http://imaginaryengineering.eponym.com/blog/TheMcMasterCarrWay)

Yes their shipping rates are very fair, I agree. BUt their costs are astronomical in many instances, ESPECIALLY raw material. We place 2-3 orders from McMaster per day at work, in the engineering dept. When I came on board, I told them I refuse to buy raw material from MCMaster anymore unless it is a dire emergency. Now, we order from metalexpress.com ---- 1/2 the cost, and we have it in 2 days instead of one.

pc2 you are always up to something mechanical aren't you, do you finish all of your projects?

Yes, I am. No, I rarely even start half of the projects I think about. Usually I think about something, dabble in it for a while, absorb information, and use it at a later date.

I will add that this project is one that I intend to finish.

pc2 you are always up to something mechanical aren't you, do you finish all of your projects?

You mean there are people who do?