DCC Circuit Breakers

[Anonymous]

Hello all. I'm getting ready to install my DCC system and was looking for some advice on power protection and circuit breakers. I've got a Digitrax Zephyr, so the PM42 seems an obvious option. However, Tony's comparison seems to note some downsides, like difficult installation and slow activation. How does the PM42 compare to the PowerShield? Is the switching time really a major issue, or not?
Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[nfmisso]

Follow Tony's advice.

[Anonymous]

I suppose I'm innately skeptical of recomendations that wind up pointing to the 'exclusive' product. You guys know what you're doing, though, so I'll go with the PowerShield and see how it works.
Thanks.

[cacole]

Practically all DCC systems have built-in circuit breakers to protect their electronics, so, in the long run, the use of additional circuit breakers really accomplishes little except giving you a sense of security and adding to the wiring cost.

The advantage to Tony's Power Shield is primarily for large layouts with several power districts where the PS shuts down only one power district instead of the entire layout.

At the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's 20x40 foot HO scale layout, we have 3 power boosters, with no additional circuit breakers. If we have a short, the entire layout shuts down, but that has presented no problems for us.

[SpaceMouse]

Also look the DCC Clinic in the General forum. There is a system discussed of using auto tail lights that is highly effective and a lot less expensive and easier to use than the PM44. If someone doesn't post the URL to that thread by the time I get home, I'll post it then.

[rrinker]

PM42's have one advantage - they can broadcast the status of each section over Loconet. If you run your railroad with software that can monitor this, it might be a benefit. The Powershields have a far greater benefit - no relays! No moving parts, no contacts to wear out, as they eventually will do - maybe 10's of years if they aren;t used often near capacity, but wear they will. An all-solid state circuit can always be made faster than an electomechanical relay. Does thePM42 work? Certainly. For my money though, the PS is a better choice. Plus the PS-Rev reverser is a breaker AND reverser - it takes 2 sections of a PM42 to do that - each PM42 section is EITHER a reverser OR a breaker, but not both.

--Randy

[SpaceMouse]

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=36389