Red Seal Electrician Practice
Motor controlsQuestion 74 of 1506

When must a make-before-break selector switch be used?

  1. When the adjacent circuits must never be connected together as the switch moves
  2. When the common circuit must never be fully open while the switch moves
  3. When the switch handles DC only
  4. When the contact needs a high wetting current
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Correct answer: When the common circuit must never be fully open while the switch moves

The moving contact bridges two positions, so the circuit must accept adjacent positions being tied together.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits IV: Digital (Kuphaldt), 4.3: Contact “Normal” State and Make/Break Sequence

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026