Industrial Maintenance Technician Practice Test

A three-way wall switch is designed to control a light from two separate locations, allowing users to turn the light on or off regardless of which switch they are using. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios such as long hallways or large rooms with multiple entry points, where it is convenient to have access to the light switch from different places.

By contrast, the other options describe functions that do not align with the specific purpose of a three-way switch. For example, operating a fan from one location suggests the use of a single-pole switch, and controlling a single light fixture typically involves basic switch designs. The mention of operating multiple lights at once could be done with a combination of switches but does not encapsulate the unique dual-location control that a three-way switch provides. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the primary and distinctive function of a three-way switch in multi-location lighting control.