Insulating Turnouts

BR60103

Member since
January 2001
From: Guelph, Ont.
1,476 posts

Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 10:49 PM

You may not have to insulate all your turnouts if there is a series going the same way -- say in a ladder track. You will only have to insulate the last one. You do not need to insulate a spur that has a dead end.
Put the insulated joint as close to the frog as possible so that you won't leave cars with metal wheels on the joint to create a short.
The rule is that you have to insulate where there is an electric feed beyond the frog or where two frog ends face each other.

--David

Reply

BR60103

Member since
January 2001
From: Guelph, Ont.
1,476 posts

Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 10:49 PM

You may not have to insulate all your turnouts if there is a series going the same way -- say in a ladder track. You will only have to insulate the last one. You do not need to insulate a spur that has a dead end.
Put the insulated joint as close to the frog as possible so that you won't leave cars with metal wheels on the joint to create a short.
The rule is that you have to insulate where there is an electric feed beyond the frog or where two frog ends face each other.

--David

Reply

IRONROOSTER

Member since
June 2003
From: Culpeper, Va
8,204 posts

Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 7:25 PM

Yes, if you are using power routing turnouts, the frog and the rails from it change polarity as the points are thrown. Some brands such as Atlas have insulated frogs (and are not power routing) and have jumpers to the rails that maintain polarity. The downside is that there are electrical dead spots and your lococs need multiple wheel pickups. The NMRA site www.nmra.org has a section for beginners which might help. Also, check out some the wiring books at your hobby store.
Good luck
Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.

Reply

IRONROOSTER

Member since
June 2003
From: Culpeper, Va
8,204 posts

Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 7:25 PM

Yes, if you are using power routing turnouts, the frog and the rails from it change polarity as the points are thrown. Some brands such as Atlas have insulated frogs (and are not power routing) and have jumpers to the rails that maintain polarity. The downside is that there are electrical dead spots and your lococs need multiple wheel pickups. The NMRA site www.nmra.org has a section for beginners which might help. Also, check out some the wiring books at your hobby store.
Good luck
Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.