SPST Switches - Non-LED

SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switches without LED indicators — basic on/off toggle switches for controlling power to LED circuits, accessories,…

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  • SPST - Switch / Toggle - 30A
    SPST - Switch / Toggle - 30A
    SKU: SPSTTOGGLESWITCH30A
    These are great switches that can be used for a large range of applications! Useful in homes, crawlers, track cars, DD's, PCs etc...
    $4.49

1 Item

SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switches without LED indicators — basic on/off toggle switches for controlling power to LED circuits, accessories, and electrical loads. These are the simplest switch type: one input, one output, two positions — on or off. No built-in LED indicator light, which makes them ideal for hidden installations, battery-powered projects where every milliamp of current draw matters, and applications where you want a clean switch appearance without a glowing indicator. Wire two terminals, mount through a panel hole, and you have reliable on/off control for any DC circuit.

How SPST switches work: A single pole single throw switch has two terminals. One connects to the positive wire from your power source, the other connects to the positive lead of your load (LEDs, motor, fan, solenoid, or any DC device). Flip the toggle to close the circuit and current flows through to your load. Flip it back to open the circuit and current stops. That is the entire operation — no wiring complexity, no polarity concerns on the switch terminals themselves, no programming, no microcontroller. The switch simply makes or breaks a single wire in the circuit. For LED circuits specifically, the switch goes in the positive (anode) side of the wiring, between the power supply and the current-limiting resistor. The LED, resistor, and ground wire stay connected at all times — the switch only controls whether the positive supply reaches them.

When to choose non-LED switches: Non-LED switches are the right choice in several specific situations. Hidden installations — inside a project enclosure, under a dashboard, behind a fascia panel, inside a model railroad benchwork, or anywhere the switch is operated by feel rather than by sight. Battery-powered projects — an LED indicator inside the switch draws 10–20mA of continuous current, which drains a 9V battery or coin cell noticeably faster. A non-LED switch draws zero current when the circuit is off. Low-voltage circuits — 3V, 3.3V, and 5V projects where the available voltage is at or below the forward voltage of the indicator LED inside an LED-lit switch, causing the indicator to glow dimly or not at all. Clean panel aesthetics — when your control panel design calls for switches without indicator lights, either for a period-correct look (model railroad signal panels) or a minimalist industrial style. Cost — non-LED switches are less expensive than their LED-lit counterparts, which adds up when you are installing a dozen switches on a model railroad control panel.

Electrical ratings and specifications: Check the voltage and current rating printed on the switch body or listed in the product specifications before installation. Our SPST switches are rated for DC applications at voltages and currents suitable for LED circuits, automotive accessories, and hobby electronics loads. DC and AC ratings are different — a switch rated for 20A at 12V AC may only handle 10A at 12V DC because DC arcing across the contacts is more sustained than AC arcing (AC crosses zero 120 times per second, which helps extinguish the arc). For LED circuits, current draw is typically well under 1A total, so the contact rating is rarely a concern. For high-current loads like 12V fans, pumps, or motor-driven accessories, verify the DC amp rating against your total load.

Mounting: Toggle switches mount through a round hole drilled in your enclosure panel, dashboard, or control board. The switch threads through the hole and secures with a washer and nut on the back side. Panel hole sizes vary by switch model — check the product specifications for the exact mounting hole diameter (common sizes are 12mm and 16mm for full-size toggles). For model railroad fascia panels, drill the mounting hole in the Masonite or plywood panel, insert the switch from the front, and tighten the nut on the back. For automotive installations, use a step drill bit for clean round holes in sheet metal. Some toggle switches include a rubber boot or waterproof seal for outdoor and marine applications.

Common applications: Master on/off power control for LED arrays, strips, and displays. Model railroad layout fascia panels — track power, turnout control, building lighting banks, yard lighting, and block signal circuits. Automotive accessory circuits — fog lights, work lights, auxiliary fans, LED underbody lighting, and aftermarket accessories. Escape room and Halloween prop circuits — hidden master power switches for prop circuits, puzzle resets, and effect triggers. Arduino and microcontroller project enclosures — manual on/off control for the entire project or for individual subsystems. 555 timer circuits — power switching for LED flashers, chasers, and PWM dimmers.

If you want a switch with a built-in LED indicator that lights up when the circuit is on, see our SPST LED Lit Switches. For smaller toggle and slide switches that fit compact enclosures, see our SPST / SPDT Mini Switches. Browse all wire, switches, and connectors for complete project wiring supplies. Pair any switch with our component LEDs and resistors to build a complete LED circuit from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

SPST stands for Single Pole Single Throw. "Single pole" means the switch controls one circuit (one pair of contacts). "Single throw" means it has one on position and one off position — flip it one way to close the circuit, flip it the other way to open it. This is the simplest and most common switch type. Compare to SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw), which has a common terminal that can connect to either of two output terminals — used for switching between two circuits.
An LED-lit SPST switch has a small LED built into the toggle or housing that illuminates when the switch is on, providing visual confirmation that the circuit is powered. It requires a third wire (ground) for the indicator LED and draws 10–20mA of additional current. A non-LED SPST switch is a plain two-terminal on/off switch with no indicator — simpler wiring, no extra current draw, and suitable for any voltage from 3V to 24V. Choose non-LED for hidden installations, battery-powered projects, and clean panel aesthetics.
Connect the positive wire from your power supply to one terminal of the switch. Connect the other switch terminal to the positive side of your LED circuit — which means to the current-limiting resistor, then from the resistor to the LED anode. Connect the LED cathode back to the power supply ground. The switch simply breaks or completes the positive power line. When the switch is on, current flows through the resistor and LED. When it is off, no current flows. See our How to Wire LEDs — 101 guide for complete wiring diagrams.
Yes — our SPST switches are rated for 12V DC applications including automotive, marine, model railroad, and hobby electronics circuits. Always verify the amp rating against your total load before installation. For LED circuits, current draw is typically well under 1A total (a single 20mA LED draws 0.02A, and even 50 LEDs in parallel only draw 1A), so the switch's current rating is rarely a concern. For higher-current loads like fans or motors, check the DC amp rating specifically — DC ratings are lower than AC ratings for the same switch.
Most full-size SPST toggle switches mount through a 12mm (approximately 1/2 inch) panel hole. Check the product specifications for the exact mounting hole diameter and thread dimensions for the specific switch model. Drill a pilot hole first, then enlarge to the final size with a step drill bit (for sheet metal) or a standard twist drill (for wood, plastic, or Masonite panels). The switch threads through from the front and secures with a washer and hex nut on the back side.
Use SPST when you need a simple on/off switch for one circuit — master power control, lighting bank enable, or accessory on/off. Use SPDT when you need to switch between two circuits — for example, toggling between red and green LEDs on a model railroad signal, switching a lighting circuit between two different power sources, or selecting between two operating modes on a microcontroller project. An SPDT switch can also function as an SPST by simply leaving one of the two output terminals unconnected.