train layout wire confusion

[turret]

I am begining to wire my layout which is O gauge post war lionel and mth. I plan to use a block system to control the layout, but may add mth dcs at some point. Mth recommends using 16 gauge wire for power feeds or larger for dcs in a star configeration. what  is a star configeration? What type of 16 gauge wire should be used and how would I hook this larger wire to mth switches, the terminal screws are very small?  Lastly will mth dcs work if the layout is wired into blocks? I have no experience using dcs.

[lionelsoni]

There are two considerations in selecting wire size, safety and voltage drop.

The wire should be heavy enough to carry the maximum current that the transformer can put out, that is, the rating of its circuit breaker or other overcurrent protection.  Use no smaller than 14 AWG for 15 amperes, 16 AWG for 10 amperes, 18 AWG for 7 amperes, 20 AWG for 5 amperes.

The wire should be heavy enough to keep voltage drop to a tolerable amount.  Track is roughly equivalent to 16 AWG; so any supplementary feeders should be around 14 AWG or heavier to make a significant difference.

It doesn't matter electrically what kind of wire you use, other than the gauge.  It is okay to splice in a few inches of slightly smaller wire to make connections to the track.

[willpick]

"Star" wiring means that the feed from the transformer goes to a central spot, then the wire pairs fan out from that spot like spokes on a wheel. I use 16 ga. wire that I get from dollar store extension cords-- just cut off the plug & socket. 9 ft cords are ideal.  The wire that connects to the switches is usually about 22 ga.

wiring into blocks won't hurt the DCS signal--- in fact, it can help keep the signal from degrading-- Since you say that you have no experience with DCS, I'd read what MTH has on the protosound website at www.protosound2.com  the basic information is there--- and over on the OGR forum, there is a DCS sub forum that is chock full  of info--

HTH---