Unpowered turnout question

[Anonymous]

I strated my layout and placed all of my powered turnouts with insulated joiners. I have decided to use an unpowered turnout with a groundthrow where I used to have a powered turnout. If I use this, do I remove the plastic joiner and go with my nickel joiner or do I still need the plastic joiner to remain on the unpowered turnout? Also, If I would be correct in using in the nickel joiner can I remove power supply to the block after the turnout since current would then flow thorugh the turnout to the next powered turnout(s)? Thanks-J1

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

[dehusman]

I think you are confused here. The track power (rail joiners) doesn't have anything to do with the remote switching mechanism (powered switch). Two seperate electrical circuits. If you put all insulated joints around a switch you will kill the power to the rails and no engines will cross the switch.

I would suggest buying a book or checking your local library for a book on model railroad electrical wiring.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

I think you are confused here. The track power (rail joiners) doesn't have anything to do with the remote switching mechanism (powered switch). Two seperate electrical circuits. If you put all insulated joints around a switch you will kill the power to the rails and no engines will cross the switch.

I would suggest buying a book or checking your local library for a book on model railroad electrical wiring.

Dave H.

I knew that, but am only referring to the insulated connector on the point end of the switch. I also know that the switch is controlled by AC in a powered situation. That being said, my question is that if I removed the power to the turnout and install a groundthrow, would I still need my one insulated rail joiner on the right rail (point end) or could I go without that and a nickel joiner in its place? And then if this is true, the following block would receive its power through that swith instead of being powered due to that I used to have an insulated joiner but now want to put in a nickel joiner. Do I have that right? If so, I could remove the following (point end) block's power, correct?

[Big_Boy_4005]

The motor was never in any kind of contact with the rails. The insulated rail joiners have nothing to do with the motor and never did. Normally insulated railjoiners are placed on the frog side of the two diverging legs anyway, and almost never on the point end. There's no reason to have them on the point end of the turnout.

In other words you never needed one on the point end, and you still don't. It's the frog end that matters.

[retsignalmtr]

i think what you are saying is that you are using turnouts that route the rail power to the track that the switch is lined up for? this type of switch conducts power with the point that is touching the stock rail through the frog to the track that is selected. using a ground throw will not change the wiring that you have for rail power. since these switches route power to the next track there is no need to have an insulated joiner at the point unless you are using it to isolate a block. usually the power is applied from the point end of the switch.

[Jetrock]

jamison1: Whether the turnout is controlled by a switch machine or a ground throw makes NO difference in how the power is supplied to the rails.

So, if you now have an insulated joiner and a separate block with your switch machine controlled turnout, you will need an insulated joiner and a separate block with your ground throw controlled turnout as well.

But here's the question: Why do you have an insulated joiner on the switch in the first place?