wire gauge

[IRB Souther Engineer]

What is the best wire gauge for connecting your track to your power supply? Awhile ago the guy that helped me build my RR used audio/speaker wire for this connection. The wire seems really under gauge. I just noticed this recently (how unfortunate).

[Greg Elmassian]

 Really depends on the number of locos you are running, type of rail, and if you use clamps, joiners, jumpers.

Please provide some more information.

You might read what I have written on this subject:

http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/track-mainmenu-93/track-powerwiring-mainmenu-237

Regards, Greg

[cabbage]

Here in the UK the standard domestic 50 Hz 250 Volt "Ring Main" cable for the 13 Amp supply is 2mm dia for AC power and 1.5mm dia for the Earth. My speaker cable from my amplifier to my speakers has a diameter of 6mm and the output from my EL34 amplifier is only 50 Watts -this is thicker than the starter motor cable in my car... It depends how much current is flowing through your cable at any one point. For instance do you have multiple power feeds to your track? I normally "over rate" the cable requirements in my locos by at least 50% but the thickest cable I use is 3.5mm dia 72/0.1 (72 conductors of 0.1mm dia) and this easily takes the 29 Amps of an express Gauge '3' loco... regards ralph

[dwbeckett]

My RR has a mix of 14ga/16ga main feeders with 18 and 20ga jumpers ( The higher the number the smaller the wire ),placed every 8-10 ft apart.  I have run 7 F3's with no problems. I have about 200 ft track wired.

Dave

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I use code 332 rail (Aristocraft), with split jaw and Aristocraft rail clamps-no jumpers. I usually run 2-3 engines (maximum) at a time. I use the Aristocraft Train Engineer remote system powered by the (Aristocraft) 10-amp power supply.

[Greg Elmassian]

I'd stick with 14 gauge, and you should only need feeders every 20-30 feet or so. Even this will be a bit of overkill for 2-3 locos, but remember lighted cars can add a lot of additional current.

I would "home run" each feeder wire if possible.

You could get away with less, but is the small cost savings worth it?

Regards, Greg

[IRB Souther Engineer]

Okay, I'll pick up some 14 gauge wire soon. Eventually I'll do the feeder wires.

[IRB Souther Engineer]

Okay. The 14 gauge wire has been installed.

[Greg Elmassian]

 Good deal. If it is stranded, try to waterproof the end so that water does not get into the wire itself (there are tiny spaces between the strands that can "absorb" water).

Get some of that "liquid rubber" that you paint on the end where you have stripped the wire, at home depot.

 Regards, Greg