There are many different types of section; some more well-known than others. I'll mention a few, because to be honest I don't know many more than this, but hopefully it'll clear some stuff up.
The type of section you were put on is likely to have been a section 136. This is a section specially for the police to use if they think someone is mentally ill and dangerous to themselves or others in a public place, and allows that person to be taken to a "safe place" (usually an A&E department/hospital or police station to await being assessed by a psychiatrist). The police have the power to hold the person for up to 72 hours to wait for the psychiatrist to do the assessment. Once the doctor arrives the responsibility for the patient's care is then transferred to them, and they will decide whether the person needs to be sectioned as an inpatient in hospital, admitted voluntarily, other support, or unfortunately, sometimes, no support.
A section 2 is different. It's an "assessment section" and is a section that a patient is put onto when they have been assessed by (usually) two psychiatrists/doctors and a social worker and are deemed to have a mental disorder that needs further assessment in hospital. This section would be used if the patient does not agree to go voluntarily. It lasts 28 days which the patient would spend being assessed on a psychiatric unit.
A section 3 is the other section that comes up sometimes on RYL. It is considered a "treatment section". A patient is usually put on it after their section 2 has expired if the doctors feel it's necessary for the patient to stay as an inpatient longer for treatment and the patient refuses to stay voluntarily. It lasts up to 6 months and the rights of the patient are slightly different to the rights of a patient on a section 2. It can also be repeated after the 6 months is up, or can be lifted in less than 6 months if this is possible. Sometimes I think it's possible for doctors to bypass the section 2 and put the patient straight on section 3.
There are also other, short-lasting sections sometimes referred to as "nurses' holding powers" in which a nurse can detain a patient for a short length of time in a hospital awaiting the arrival of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to assess the patient. This might happen on a psychiatric ward if a patient is voluntary but tries to discharge themselves and there is sufficient concern from the nursing staff.
Hope this clears things up a little :S
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