Manual OC32/NG
VPEB
Control your Miniature World
Page 40 of 48
Version 1.0 – December 15
th
, 2017
2017 Leon van Perlo
6.4.8
Turnout-solenoids (multiplexed)
OC32 I/O Pin: OC32-ADM/MX (4,8A Multiplexer Driver)
If you have a large amount of turnouts to control, multiplexing is a very cost-effective
method to achieve this. With one ADM/MX installed, 8 I/O pins control 8 drive units (so 16
solenoids). Two ADM/MX’s control up to 32 drive units (so 64 solenoids) by just 16 I/O Pins.
Multiplexing requires some additional components, but nevertheless is it a cost-effective
solution. Moreover, the multiplexing and additional components mitigate the potential
spiking problem as described in paragraph
6.4.7, it saves wiring and multiplexing makes very
efficient use of your power supply.
The only drawback of multiplexing is that it is slightly more work to install. Therefore there is
a separate document on turnout multiplexing with the OC32. We’ll just mention the basics
here. Please refer to the separate document for more info and details.
6.4.9
Relays
OC32 I/O Pin: 500mA Sink Driver
Sometimes a galvanic separation is needed between
output and switched load. Also when you want to switch
something that requires AC (e.g. synchronous motors)
this is a valid solution. Several types of simple DIL relays
are available and after some searching around they can
be found for prices between € 2,= and € 3,50
The diagram to connect a relay is rather simple: just connect it between Vp and the output
of the OC32. We are talking about a monostable relay, meaning that the relay will always be
in idle position when no voltage is applied. As soon as and as long as voltage is applied to the
coil the active position is maintained. If the voltage is switched off the relay goes back into
the idle position.
Take care: some relays are polarity sensitive. It is important to connect the right pole to Vp
and to the OC32 output. The power supplied by Vp needs to match the voltage required by
the coil of the relay. This is indicated on the relay or can be found in the documentation of
the manufacturer of the relay.
Fig 35: Connecting a relay
Vp
Q(x)
Vp
Q(x)
Control your Miniature World
VPEB
Manual OC32/NG
2017 Leon van Perlo
Version 1.0 – December 15
th
, 2017
Page 9 of 48
1.6
ETI
The OC32 can be equipped with 4 additional, galvanically separated Event Trigger Inputs
(optocouplers). This enables the OC32 to react on external events. Which actions are taken
on any external event is completely user-configurable. This offers the additional possibility to
use the OC32 as a self-supporting “scenery controller”
1.7
SAP
The OC32 features an additional serial output-port (Serial Accessory Port), by which special
equipment can be controlled. One can think of sound-modules to generate environmental-
sound or sounds related to the devices the OC32 controls. The advantage of this serial
interface is that it won’t cost you any of the 32 I/O Pins. The additional serial output is
available on any OC32 revision, so also the older modules, when firmware 3.0 or later is
installed.
If the SAP option is used, the OC32 cannot be controlled anymore via the serial RS232
interface and therefore the RS485 or DCC interface needs to be used for this.
1.8
Physical properties
The OC32/NG is supplied as an assembled printed circuit board with or without enclosere.
The physical dimensions are:
•
104mm x 100mm x 20mm (l x w x h, without enclosure, without connectors)
•
136mm
2
x 100mm x 20mm (l x w x h, without enclosure, with connectors)
•
104mm x 113mm x 27mm (l x w x h, with enclosure, without connectors)
•
136mm
1
x 113mm x 27mm (l x w x h, with enclosure, with connectors)
2
Allow for at least an additional 30mm to facilitate wiring in the connectors
