Revision as of 14:40, 16 September 2010 by Noroom(talk | contribs)(fixed typo, changed light output comparison to regular torches (they're not half as bright, it's less))
The Redstone Torch is an item which is used as a power source for wires and as a result can be used to sabotage/activate traps and mechanisms as well as opening locked iron doors making it useful for raiding parties in multiplayer. A door that is designed to open when not powered and constantly powered prevents this vulnerability. Wires in turn are used to operate a Stone Button, a Lever, or a Pressure Plate from a distance. It turns off when any adjacent switch, lever, or pressure plate is turned on. The torch can only power the wire for a length of 15 blocks.
The Redstone Torch will constantly power a set of wires, and is used as a "block-based" switch sometimes. Using it as a source of light is not recommended because it has a much lower light output than a regular (coal) torch and the Redstone is much harder to find.
See Redstone circuits for more information on using Redstone torches in circuits and logic gates.