DCC and switches with non insulated frogs

[Anonymous]

Can you use switches with non-insulated frogs ( switches that direct the current by the way they are thrown) to wire sidings using DCC?

How would they be wired and where would you place insulated rail joiners to avoid shorting out the track? This assumes that all of the track on a layout with DCC is hot.

[Anonymous]

According to Lionel Strang in "DCC Made Easy", the answer is yes. You should power the turnout from the point side. The only time there's a potential short-circuit problem is if :

A) the points aren't solid against the rail, so the line isn't fed properly, and
B) You enter the turnout from the frog side, and the points aren't set right.

A is solved with a good manual or automatic switch machine that keeps the points tight when the turnout is thrown. B is solved by paying attention. [:)]

And yes, unless you have an electrical switch wired to a particular block to turn it off, all DCC rail is "hot" all the time.

[robengland]

see www.wiringfordcc.com