Phase question

[KRM]

Thanks,

 My two postwar and the CW-80 transformers are all plugged into the same strip. 

[ADCX Rob]

lionelsoni

...Often, two outlets in the same room are wired to opposite phases...

This is now an NEC requirement for certain rooms, including kitchens.

[ADCX Rob]

KRM

As for the plugs I will print out the link and do it tomorrow but our house is only 10 years old and I know the outlets are all wired the same. Just not sure about that flipping the plug stuff.

Just plug all of the transformers into a single multi-outlet strip to keep them all coordinated.

[lionelsoni]

Kev, even if your house is brand new and all of your outlets are wired correctly, it is very unlikely that they are also "wired the same."

Correct wiring has the outlet wired, as viewed from the room and going clockwise, equipment ground (bare or green wire), neutral (white wire), and then either of two 120-volt phases that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other (black or red wire).  Often, two outlets in the same room are wired to opposite phases.  And it is possible that the upper and lower halves of a duplex outlet are wired separately, and to opposite phases ("three-wire circuit").  So incorrect wiring is certainly not the only way to get out-of-phase outlets.

[ADCX Rob]

KRM

The part about the 1044 having A as U has me a bit confused and it runs accessories only and they all work. Sowhat is U on it then??

A is NOT U. "A" is common, "U" goes to the center rail.

If the 1044 is not being used for trains, just accessories, it doesn't have to be in phase, even when using a common return.

Now that you are going to power an adjoining/attached block with the 1044, it must be phased with the ZW... 1044 common "A" to ZW common "U". 1044 "U" goes to the center rail of your block.

There is no "magic" or trickery here... just convention. Multi-train transformers used "U" as common, singles use "A"(or other optional commons with "U" to center rail / Lockon Clip 1).

[rtraincollector]

unhook wires from the one transformer presently connected to the track ( for safty reasons) (I also know there is one transformer that is backwards) any way put a light bulb or a meter to the two U outlets. If the light bulb gets brighter or the meter starts reading higher as you increase the voltage ( start with one about 1/2 to 3/4 on ) you have one backwards. 

[KRM]

Okay I got to go back here. The only transformers running trains are the ZW and CW-80 and the CW-80 is the one with the G and everything works. Even the blocks. The part about the 1044 having A as U has me a bit confused and it runs accessories only and they all work. Sowhat is U on it then?? As for the plugs I will print out the link and do it tomorrow but our house is only 10 years old and I know the outlets are all wired the same. Just not sure about that flipping the plug stuff. The thing is I am looking to add a block on the main loop that will be powered off the 1044.

Thanks again,

 Kev.

 

[ADCX Rob]

You have a couple of issues here. Let's address the easy one first.

OK, the "U" on the ZW is common. All set there. However, "A" is common on the 1044, not U. So phase these two transformers first using the plug reversal method outlined HERE.

Now, on the CW, the black "U" posts are common only on the ones with a "G" in the date code, otherwise, the "A" & "B" red posts are common.

Connect one common from the CW to the ZW "U" & 1044 "A" and you are done. It does not seem to matter which way the plug is on the CW... if it causes issues, reverse both the 1044 & ZW plugs(the CW plug cannot be reversed as it is polarized - unless you grind down the wide spade).

[rtraincollector]

The problem can be if you reverse the plug by accident it can take you out of phase. you need to be sure when you phase them they are correct. I.E. say you have 2 ZW's and they don't phase, that can be because one is pluged in reverse of the other. Most people will mark the plug on one side once you get it correct so you can plug them in correctly each time. Your plugs in your house could be backwards from each other. thats why it's better to use the same plug all the time. I know when they inspected this house I'm in ( it's 77 years old) that even thou it has been rewired some of the plugs have your nuetral on the oppisite side as other plugs. I need to get the tester from Lowes or somewhere and correct it. 

[KRM]

I get it on how to phase my CW-80, ZW , and 1044 as far as U=Black on the CW-80 and U=U on the ZW and 1044. I have all of those connections tied together across the layout. But my question I someplace I think I was told that the way the outlet plug that goes into the wall outlet needs to be phased as well. How do I do that. I am sure this has been asked before but when I did a search it brought up about 1,000 post???

Thanks,