Kato Unitrack turnouts can be set to be power-routing or non-power-routing by moving the two screws under the turnout. I think some of the older #4s were only power routing, but I believe now all their turnouts come with this feature. Check the card backing of the turnout's packing for more info.
If they're set to non-power-routing, it doesn't matter where you connect up the power; you only need to use insulated joiners to make separate blocks (if you want to).
Because of the power-routing "feature" of Kato turnouts, I use their feeder unijoiners. I put a feeder on every segment, after the turnouts.
I use Kato's power extension cords as the 'bus.' A daisy-chain has worked for me.
In the past, I isolated the turnouts with insulating unijoiners. I don't think I'm using them on my current layout.
Which turnouts will you be using?
Most Kato HO turnouts can be set for either power-routing or non-power-routing by setting two screws on the bottom.
I believe the only turnouts that CAN'T be changed are the powered #4's with the metal frogs. They are power-routing. I believe they're now a discontinued item.
I think you need to post an image of your track plan for recommendations on where power feeds and insulated joints should go. In the image above, I would put the feeder at the bottom of the pic, beyond the points of the lower switch.
Hello,I had the benchwork for my HO Scale model railroad layout installed today, and have begun laying the track (Kato Unitrack). As I may have mentioned previously, the layout will include sidings, two reversing loops, and a passing siding. I plan on running my trains from a DCC controller attached to a feeder track below the passing siding, but also read that Unitrack feeder tracks should not be directly connected with the diverging tracks of turnouts. I'm wondering, then, if I should place the feeder track farther away from the turnout(s) or if I should place a feeder just before a turnout.