I am building a shelf type layout around the walls, in a U shape. i have one section built, and am ready to run my wire and have a couple questions.
1) When i run the buss wire, keeping in mind I will have to extend the wire to two additional sections, should I install a terminal block in order to run wire to the next section?
2) when i come to the end of the run, do you have to have the wire connected to something like an "end" block? I wouldn't think the wire could just end with out completing a circuit.
As you can see I consider myself electrically challenged. I will be putting feeder wires from the track.
Thanks for the advice.
Bob
1) You could do it that way, or leave the wire bundled and uncut to unroll and extend as you need it later. Adding an appliance of some sort partway is an invitation to a higher probability of problems later. A continuous wire is better than a join any day.
2) This is a common question. You can loop each wire back to its own issuing terminal, or you can simply end them with a cap or wrap of electrical tape. The big issue is security and electrical sensibility. Don't let them dangle, don't let the two ends come in contact with each other. Really, the best method is to cut them at a suitable location when you don't need more length, and use a special staple tacked up against them to hold the very tips up out of the way...and separated by a few inches for safety.
If you are running these single wires for more than about 20', you would want to be using 14 gauge wire to retain voltage. Longer than 30', and I would be into 12 gauge.
Crandell
Install a terminal block at each end of the sections you build so you only have to add a short jumper to connect the other sections together. When you get to the end of the buss run you should connect the ends to a terminal strip to keep them from just hanging there. Unless you are connecting feeders to it there is no need to complete a circuit at the end. Do not connect the two wires together,you will make a short circuit if you do.
Bob,
1) I install a terminal block anywhere a buss ends, whether or not there are any plans to extend it at a later date. It's optional, but at the very least it provides a tidy and secure mechanical support. And I have never had such a mechanical connection, when properly executed, fail electrically.
2) Nope! The complete circuit is basically, for our purposes (but not from a physics viewpoint) from the power source, through the buss, then the feeders, then the track, then the loco, then return via the "other side" of the loco, feeders, buss, etc. The only exception (here's the physics) is that some DCC systems tend to "ring" with a buss length of more than 30 feet or so, in which case a "snubber" circuit on the end of the buss can be beneficial.
My layout is built in 8 foot sections. The buss is daisey chained from section to section using crimp on connectors and terminal strips. I have never had an electrical problem.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
My layout is buitl to come apart in 8 foot sections, 4 foot is I really HAD to. I didn't go to the expense of addint terminal strips at each section boundary - if I DO have to cut it apart and move I can just snip the bus wires and then use terminal strips when I put it back together. The ends I've done nothign special, I hold the wires up with those little palstic squares that you thread a tie wrap through. At the end of a bus line, I add the tie wrap and then tie the ends of the bus wires together around the tie wrap, usualy about a triple knot. It fosn't unravel, and keeps the free ends facing away from each other with no chance of shorting.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks everyone for the help. As always!!
FWIW, it's "bus" rather than "buss"...
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage FWIW, it's "bus" rather than "buss"...
The Interstate Wire Company would seem to disagree with you:
High quality braids/ buss wire supplied by Interstate Wire Co. is incorporated into a number of crucial applications such as point to point wiring...
http://www.interstatewire.com/wire-cable/braids-buss-wire.aspx
People who generate websites don't always get it right. A buss is something grandson puts on grandma's cheek every Sunday. A bus is a form of transport for passengers or is the thing we mean...a length of heavier gauge wire meant as the first level of electrical distrubution.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/glossary.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Management_Bus
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Electrical_wiring
The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I originally had it as "bus" and then went back and edited to "buss". You say tomato........
BATMAN The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering. Brent
No problem with that. If you expand the length later on, you can either tap in the new bus wire before the feeder connections, or just redo that joint so that there are 3 wires connected together - the original bus, the new piece of bus wire, and the feeder. The exact mechanics don;t really matter, what matters is that there is a good solid connection and a complete circuit.
colesdad I originally had it as "bus" and then went back and edited to "buss". You say tomato........
This is the cause of many unseen problems. If you spell Bus wrong, chances are your layout will not operate correctly.
Besides all you're actually doing is blowing us a Kiss.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buss
Springfield PA
rrinker BATMAN: The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering. Brent No problem with that. If you expand the length later on, you can either tap in the new bus wire before the feeder connections, or just redo that joint so that there are 3 wires connected together - the original bus, the new piece of bus wire, and the feeder. The exact mechanics don;t really matter, what matters is that there is a good solid connection and a complete circuit. --Randy
BATMAN: The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering. Brent
In fact, there is nothing to stop you from lifting the ends of the bus, themselves, and if you could do it, fasten them to the sides of the rails for a set of terminating heavy-duty feeders.
selector rrinker: BATMAN: The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering. Brent No problem with that. If you expand the length later on, you can either tap in the new bus wire before the feeder connections, or just redo that joint so that there are 3 wires connected together - the original bus, the new piece of bus wire, and the feeder. The exact mechanics don;t really matter, what matters is that there is a good solid connection and a complete circuit. --Randy In fact, there is nothing to stop you from lifting the ends of the bus, themselves, and if you could do it, fasten them to the sides of the rails for a set of terminating heavy-duty feeders.
rrinker: BATMAN: The ends of my bus are connected to my last set of feeders. Is there a reason not to do it this way? If not, why not do it this way and the problem is solved as far as "the end of the bus wire" is concerned. I understand the future expansion issue. Just wondering. Brent No problem with that. If you expand the length later on, you can either tap in the new bus wire before the feeder connections, or just redo that joint so that there are 3 wires connected together - the original bus, the new piece of bus wire, and the feeder. The exact mechanics don;t really matter, what matters is that there is a good solid connection and a complete circuit. --Randy
And my 12 Gauge Bus wire would sure make Tim The Tool Man proud. AAAAARRRRRGH MORE POWER! YEA BABY!
Do you remember the episode where he put the Dust Buster motor in the slot car? My favourite.
If it's the true end of the line - dont think too many trains will be able to power through 12 gauge wire used as a bumping post
Perfect! Bumping post and feeder.
selector A buss is something grandson puts on grandma's cheek every Sunday. Crandell
A buss is something grandson puts on grandma's cheek every Sunday.
Well I NEVER, EVER "Bussed" my grandmother on any day of the week!!!!
I always gave her some "sugar"!
{she was from the south}
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.