A manual single-phase motor starter typically has how many poles?

A manual single-phase motor starter typically has one or two poles because the starter needs to interrupt the power supply to the motor for both the live (phase) and the neutral wire in a single-phase system.

If it has one pole, it may be used to disconnect the live wire, while a two-pole starter will disconnect both the live and the neutral wires, providing better safety and control. The design of single-phase motor starters is such that they usually accommodate either configuration based on the requirements of the motor circuit.

Using one pole is sufficient for basic operation when the focus is purely on the live connection, but utilizing two poles enhances the protection and ensures a complete disconnection from electrical supply, which is often the best practice in electrical installations. This flexibility allows for various applications and ensures that the starter can be adapted to different circuit requirements, hence the reasoning behind one or two poles being standard.