29
Note for detection and signaling wiring common rail can be used within power
districts that are wired for direct home and use regular Digitrax boosters.
Remember, no matter how you control your trains, you should always use
safe wiring practices.
6.3 Recommended wire sizes for power bus and track feeders
On an average size layout Digitrax recommends that the power bus from the
booster be at least 16AWG. When feeding areas up to 50’ from the booster, we
recommend using 12 AWG wire for the power bus.
From the main power bus, we recommend dropping feeders (22-24AWG)
approximately every 6 to 10 feet of track. Sets of feeders should be wired to
both rails and we recommend at least 2 sets of feeders per power district.
The wire gauges used (AWG) can be increased or decreased, depending on
your actual layout dimensions and operating power/current loads.
6.4 Other Track Wiring Considerations
1. Power connections to a large layout should be via a parallel conductor
power bus similar to that used in most conventional layouts, with feeder
wires to the track about every 6-10 feet.
2. When using more than one booster, be sure that the
RAIL A
and
RAIL B
connections for all boosters are made in the same track orientation, i.e.
RAIL A
to left rail and
RAIL B
to right rail or vice versa.
3. Do not short either the
RAIL A
or
RAIL B
output of the DCS100 to
GROUND
.
4. To minimize the possibility of radio interference, twist all conductors.
5. Circulating ground loops may cause problems with your layout. We often
see this on existing layouts that have been added on to over the years. If
you are experiencing problems in a localized area of your layout, you may
need to look for this problem and fix it.
6. Wire the power feeds away from the boosters and command stations, in a
radial “star like” configuration to minimize the possibility of creating
“magnetic induction” loops.
7.
Do not place ANY filters or capacitors across the track.
These will
short out the control signals. Be sure that no capacitors are bridging your
power districts.
6.5 Layout Power Districts
A power district is an electrically isolated section of the layout including the
power wiring, booster and power supply that drives it. Power districts are used
for power distribution, not for train control as with DC blocks. Power districts
may be divided into sub-districts for short circuit management within the
power district or for auto reversing. Even though blocking is not required for