Tvåpoligt

Tvåpoligt is a Swedish adjective meaning “having two poles” or “two-polar.” It is used across several fields to describe systems, devices, or situations that involve two opposite or separate poles. The term is formed from två, meaning two, and pol, meaning pole, with the suffix -igt indicating an adjective.

In electronics, tvåpoligt describes components or devices that can switch or connect two separate conductors simultaneously. A tvåpolig brytare (two-pole switch) disconnects both conductors in a circuit, providing safety by removing both live and neutral. Two-pole circuit breakers, relays, and other protection devices operate on the same principle.

In physics, particularly in magnetism and electrostatics, tvåpoligt can describe a dipole, a system with two opposite poles separated by a distance, such as a pair of opposite electric charges or magnetic poles. The descriptive notion is commonly expressed as dipol or dipole moment in technical contexts, while tvåpolig may be used informally.

In international relations and political science, tvåpoligt can refer to a bipolar or two-pole world order, dominated by two major powers or blocs. The phrase ett tvåpoligt världssystem is used in scholarly writings about the Cold War-era global structure, where influence was largely divided between two poles.

Note: the term is specialized; in everyday Swedish, speakers often prefer more precise terms such as bipolär or dipol depending on the context.