This is probably a question that has been asked and answered, but here goes anyway. I'm electrically "challenged" so this may be a dumb question. If I construct a turning wye as part of a team track for an industry using insulated frog turnouts (not a wye TO), does it still have to be insulated and treated as a reversing loop? All help will be appreciated.
Should have said gapped, not insulated. Thanks Gerry S.
chpthrls This is probably a question that has been asked and answered, but here goes anyway. I'm electrically "challenged" so this may be a dumb question. If I construct a turning wye as part of a team track for an industry using insulated frog turnouts (not a wye TO), does it still have to be insulated and treated as a reversing loop? All help will be appreciated.
A turning wye is electrically identical to a reversing loop and a turntable. So, yes, you will need to gap both rails of at least 2 of the 3 legs.
AND don't forget, you will need to be able reverse the polarity to avoid creating a short-circuit.
If the wye is stub ended (the "tail" isn't connected to any mainline), the easiest way to power it is to isoate the tail and control it's polarity through the switch in the tail of the wye. That is an absolutely foolproof method. The two legs are just connected like any other spur track and the tail is set so it matches the polarity of the leg the switch is lined for.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
chpthrls This is probably a question that has been asked and answered, but here goes anyway. I'm electrically "challenged" so this may be a dumb question. If I construct a turning wye as part of a team track for an industry using insulated frog turnouts (not a wye TO), does it still have to be insulated and treated as a reversing loop? All help will be appreciated. Should have said gapped, not insulated. Thanks Gerry S.
Actually, the word "insulated" is correct in this situation. If you'll be simply cutting gaps in the rail to break the circuit, you need to put an insulated filler in the gap or expansion and contraction of the layout can close the gap again. Insulated rail joiners have a small nub that keeps the rail ends separated.
For a good basic rundown on wiring, including reverse loops and wyes:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html