|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
Jerry Michels
We have had no problems doing this. As long as the rules for wiring 120v AC are followed. We haven't have a need for switches along the extension cord, we have one at the beginning to disable the AC. Our AC runs (in conduit and boxes) has multiple duplex outlets. That is the reason for the AC in the first place, to distribute the AC to points on the layout where it is needed. Jerry Michels Amarillo Railroad Museum So what’s everyone’s thoughts on adding a switch in an extension cord and replace end connector with a metal box and 2 duplex outlets?
Wyndell
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Jerry Michels
Regarding snubbers and Team Digital BlocD8 current detectors. We did install snubbers a few years ago, but the always caused the BlocD8's to give a false positive. We took all the snubbers out, and as far as DCC operation, have not noticed any ill effects. We have a Digitrax DCC system. Jerry Michels Amarillo Railroad Museum
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
Wago makes two similar types. The older type is good but the newer one is best. They are the type 221. Here is a listing on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wago-221-Electrical-Lever-Connector-Terminal-Block-221-412-221-413-221-415/253063317158?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 The Wago parts are UL rated for household wiring as well. Beware of the Chinese imitations. They are not UL rated and may be fine for your low voltage stuff but don't wire them to 120V circuits. I have used them professionally and on my layout and they are great. Best, Ken Harstine
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
Don Vollrath
Wyndell, you will not meet the safety intention of the (120V) electrical code by simply adding (cutting in) a switch and terminating the end of an extension cord in a duplex outlet box. Use electrician installed code compatible wiring, especially for club installations... permit and all.
DonV
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Don Vollrath
Jim, sounds like you have the wiring well in hand.
1. Be sure every loco decoder is set run on DCC only. Not DC. 2. Intermittent pickup on one loco in a consist is annoying. Clean wheels and pickups. Verify no broken internal wiring. Provide track wiring (or common KA device) connections between fixed consist units (?). 3. Wire Snubbers at the input side of occupancy detectors. Not on the wires to track. 4. Test sensitivity of occupancy sensors by using an 8-10K resistor across the track rails. Be sure wheels to resistors on rolling stock are clean. Use a time delay on occupancy release to prevent ‘blinking’. DonV
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
mgj21932
I too look forward to Allen’s column in MR. I learned so much about DCC from the website that I’m sure we will all benefit from the new column.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Bill D
On Mar 15, 2020, at 5:03 AM, Jim Zarnick <jameszarnick@...> wrote:
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Max Maginness
The BOD-8 adjustment range is 1.3-7mA
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
A snubber pulls about 40mA but surely it goes upstream from the detectors - that is closer to the main bus. Max
-----Original Message-----
From: w4dccqa@groups.io <w4dccqa@groups.io> On Behalf Of Puckdropper via Groups.Io Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2020 1:27 PM To: w4dccqa@groups.io Subject: Re: [w4dccqa] Non-terminal snubbers Has anyone tried using the coil-style adjustable block detectors with snubbers? Something like the Team Digital BOD-8? Puckdropper
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Jim Zarnick
Congrats Allan! I subscribe to several HO Facebook groups and when people start asking DCC type wiring question I habitually reference wiringfordcc.com J Looking forward to reading you in MR.
I’ve been paying close attention to this dialog as I wonder if my own snubbers are in the right place. So I’ll ask.
I have NCE DCC hardware on the track circuits. (I used to live 2 miles from their shop so I’m loyal, J)
Layout is multi deck around the walls with a helix connecting one end of the wall based decks and a platform in the center of the room that connects the 2 decks, allowing continuous running. Mainline is double and 267 feet long.
2 NCE Boosters 12 gauge stranded buses from Boosters. Boosters are wired together for common ground. 5 locations exist around the layout connecting the buses to 6 NCE Circuit Breakers. Each circuit breaker is connected to a multi terminal distribution panel like the Micro Structure product. 2 sides 10-12 terminals each side. My snubbers sit on the bottom of these panels, so 1 snubber per circuit breaker protected district. From the distro panels after the circuit breaker each block, which have insulation joiners on both rails, have a twisted pair of 18 gauge wire running to them. One of the block wires runs through an NCE block detector. Each piece of track has 22 gauge feeders connected the 18 gauge block wires (IDCs everywhere!).
So my snubbers are not at the end of runs, as technically the end of my runs are at the end of each block. But my snubbers are before the block detectors.
In general I have very few electrical issues but: 1) I do have the occasional runaway, 2) I do have the occasional locomotive that stops and restarts while the other loco in the consist does not, and 3) I do have an occasional issue with the block detectors not picking up the resistor wheelsets, which is annoying to the signal system and crossing gates.
Lots of info here, but welcome knowing if I have my snubbers in the best place?
Thanks for the great dialogs in this group!
Respectfully,
Jim Zarnick
From: w4dccqa@groups.io [mailto:w4dccqa@groups.io] On Behalf Of wirefordcc
Hi Dan,
One common snubber at the end of the district that ties all the lines to it should work. Do not put them after the block detector CT (current transformer) coil as you might get a false occupied block.
Starting in January, I will be writing the DCC Corner column for Model Railroader. Can I use your question? If so, please provide me with your city and state.
Thank you
Allan
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
So what’s everyone’s thoughts on adding a switch in an extension cord and replace end connector with a metal box and 2 duplex outlets?
Wyndell
Cognitive Thought & Oppsable Thumbs (CTOT) RR DCC on N Scale
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Mark Cartwright <marcdecapri@...>
Thank you Alan
Your page answered many questions I had not yet begun to know I had. :)) Mark
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Puckdropper
Has anyone tried using the coil-style adjustable block detectors with snubbers? Something like the Team Digital BOD-8?
Puckdropper
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
PennsyNut <pennsynut@...>
If I may? That's why I love those WAGO lever nuts. They are rated for AWG 28 to 12. So they hold and connect two or more wires and leave nothing exposed. What I did was strip the wires so that the insulation goes right up to the WAGO. And the reason I tried these in the first place was that I had two 22 AWG wires twisted together with "wire nuts". Again, carefully trimmed so no exposed wire. But they don't hold if you accidentally tug the wires. WAGO's do hold. I am not affiliated with them. Just a happy customer. They are a little pricey, but IMHO it's a good example of "you get what you pay for". Morgan Bilbo, about one year with very basic DCC
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
wirefordcc
On Fri, Mar 13, 2020 at 08:42 AM, Tim wrote:
Everyone has been giving prudent advice. Let me just add a couple of things. Route your 120/220 VAC wiring away from your bench top so that you don't accidentally drill through it some day. No exposed wiring or terminals like on transformers or fuse holders! Even the low voltage output terminals on transformers should not be exposed; especially if the transformer is not fused. Otherwise, if something metallic should short the output terminals of the transformer, a fire could result. Allan Gartner Wiring For DCC
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
wirefordcc
Hi Dan,
One common snubber at the end of the district that ties all the lines to it should work. Do not put them after the block detector CT (current transformer) coil as you might get a false occupied block.
Starting in January, I will be writing the DCC Corner column for Model Railroader. Can I use your question? If so, please provide me with your city and state.
Thank you
Allan
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Don't use a snubber on leads with current sensors, it will trip them and look occupied all the time.
Tim Rumph Lancaster, SC
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
I am an old electrician and belive in safety both from shock and fire. There is also the concern of picking up 60 cycle interference on your DCC power buss. I route all of my 110vac thru flex conduit to proper juntion boxes. It protects from shocks, fire due to a short circuit and puts a little distance and additional insulation to reduce 60 cycle interference.
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Hi Allan, If my power districts have a single black wire for ground, but up to 4 powered wires which I plan to use for detection (CT Coils using RR-Cirkits products-one red line each for approach, main, siding, approach). Could I have one "common" snubber at the end of the district that ties all lines to it? Does the snubber have any negative effect on detection? None of my bus wires are longer than 40 ft. Sorry for the "elongated" question.
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
I was at an old friend's who was having some power supply issues. Receptacles on the layout with no grounding or any way to insure the hot and neutral connections were right. Open 120V wiring under the layout. I told him not to call me when his house burned down.
I will need 120V receptacles on a couple of peninsulas on my layout. That will all be in EMT and metal boxes. Tim Rumph Lancaster, SC No, I'm not an electrician, and I won't help you with this on your layout!
|
|
|
|
Re: Non-terminal snubbers
Hi Allan,
Thanks for your response. I am going to twist the track bus wires (three turns per foot) and put snubbers at all the ends. The one longer (40+ feet) bus got me to thinking about an article I read in Model Railroader, May of 2015, by Larry Puckett. In it he says, "try installing snubbers at the ends of each power bus, or even at intermediate points along a power bus." (my emphasis) He also credits Mark Gurries as the "technical advice" for the article, so I tend to give the comment so weight. Do you think such an intermediate snubber would be of any help? Thanks, Michael Boyle
|
|
|
|
Re: Electrical Code for Train Layouts
JB
Please do not attempt to wire anything rated 120v. Or higher! More house fires and accidental electrocutions have occurred because a well meaning homeowner (layout owner) thought they were doing things right and resulted in serious consequences. Just because" it worked all of this time " doesn't mean you did it in a safe manner.
I too have seen live, unguarded 120v circuits under layouts and mentioned it to the person in charge. Most times they say something like" I'm the only one that goes under there," Or "I'll look at it when I get a chance". Both mean to me that nothing will change for safety sake. Sorry four my ranting but if don't say something, somethings might get hurt or worse. At least consult a licensed electrician for advice. Thanks JB Connecticut Master electrician- 35 years
|
|
|
