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For more information visit:
www.hornby.com
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Glossary
(continued)
Deceleration Delay
The delay of a locomotive slowing down to a standstill.
Feedback (Load Compensating)
This allows a locomotive to remain at a constant speed regardless of loads being pulled or incline being
negotiated.
Locomotive Decoder
A small PC board which contains a ‘chip’ that stores control information; normally fitted in locomotives. The
Command Station sends coded information to the decoder which can then control the locomotives speed,
direction and any operating functions that the locomotive may have eg lights.
Locomotive Decoders can be fitted to accessories that have a motor as a drive for example the R8131 Hornby
Operating Conveyor or the R8132 Hornby Tipper set.
Occupancy Decoder
A unit that can detect the presence of a locomotive on a specific section of track and can provide the appropriate
information as ‘return’ data.
Power Bus
Copper strip or wires that can relay power from a Power Booster to the track.
Power Booster/Power Station
A Power Booster or Power Station is as the name implies there to provide a boost of power to the track.This
can occur if a larger than normal quantity of locomotives are required to be running on the track at the same
time. If the transformer already fitted cannot handle this number then it will be necessary to section the layout
and fit a Power Booster.
This Booster will not only provide more ampage to the drive locomotives but also boost the signals to the
Decoders. All Boosters fitted must still be connected to the Power Station.
Programming
The process of assigning an Address to a locomotive or accessory (points or signals).The process of programming
sends a signal containing a numerical identifier to the locomotive being programmed.
Programming Track
A section of track isolated from the main layout purposely for programming locomotives. Programming on a
Programming Track negates the requirement of removing other locomotives from the main layout.
Speed Steps
A variable voltage increase used to control motor speeds. Decoders can set the output power for each
speed step.
Stall Current
Stall Current is the maximum current draw in amperes that a locomotive is capable of when stalled. If the
armature of a motor is prevented from turning and the maximum voltage is applied the current draw of the
motor is known as the ‘Stall Current’.
Throttle Notches
Determines whether a locomotive is controlled with 14, 27, 28 or 128 speed steps.
XpressNet
A high-speed communication protocol used for connecting Digital input devices together.
XpressNet (XBUS) Input Devices
Devices using the XpressNet protocol to Control 1 digital layout.
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