O22 switch question

[silentman]

What would be the correct size wire to use for the fixed voltage plug. I'm using a older zw and would it be correct to run the wire to the C post for separate power? Thanks for answering my dumb questions.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Not a dumb question..... I use 16 guage wire for my 022 switches. All 12 of them. I have them wired to my ZW at post "C".  Set at 16 volts.

Chuck

[lionelsoni]

You should use wire that can safely carry the maximum current that the transformer can put out, which is 15 amperes.  That would be 14 AWG.

If you don't need that much current for your turnouts and therefore don't want to run that heavy a wire, you can put a circuit breaker or fuse in series with the transformer terminal, to limit the current to a lower value.  For example, 16 AWG is safe for 10 amperes, 18 AWG for 7 amperes, 20 AWG for 5 amperes.

[silentman]

lionelsoni

You should use wire that can safely carry the maximum current that the transformer can put out, which is 15 amperes.  That would be 14 AWG.

If you don't need that much current for your turnouts and therefore don't want to run that heavy a wire, you can put a circuit breaker or fuse in series with the transformer terminal, to limit the current to a lower value.  For example, 16 AWG is safe for 10 amperes, 18 AWG for 7 amperes, 20 AWG for 5 amperes.

 

Bob so if I go with 16 AWG being electrically challenged and trying to learn how, what and where do I put a circuit breaker in series with the transformer. Is this something I can pick up at Radio Shack?

[lionelsoni]

Not at Radio Shack.  Get an automotive-type 10-ampere breaker at an auto parts store.  It will be rated at 12 volts DC; but you can ignore that, since AC operation, even at the slightly higher voltages we use, is much easier on the part than DC is.

[silentman]

So just go from  terminal post C to the breaker to the plug that goes into the switch? If that's correct is it ok to wire all the switches together and use one breaker? I'm only using four switches on this loop.