Item 6 in this box on page 54 unfortunately perpetuates the confusion that some folks have over AC and DC. It recommends color-coding of wires, good advice, except that the recommendation of "red for positive, black for negative" makes sense only on a DC-powered layout, rare for toy trains. The author probably meant something line "black for common, red for center rail", which sort of corresponds to the old English residential-wiring color code, not that it has to match any other practice.
Bob Nelson
Bob, I think that confusion has long been entrenched and as they say, "old habbits die hard", and perhaps"bad habbits die harder". If not for folks like you and a few others, no one would be available to correct these issues. This is one of the reasons I thought it would be great if someone of your caliber could write a book of electrical engineering for toy/model trains. Lots could be explained to those of us without such vast knowledge. I certainly owe you a debt of gratitude for helping with my issues that you have given answers for.
Thanks,dennis
TCA#09-63805
I have to agrre with Bob N. on the color codes of wires in DC wiring. I have done both 12 volt DC wiring and 240 volt AC wiring.
The correct color code for AC wiring is black for hot wire and white for nuetral or common. Most common other color codes in AC for hot are red or blue. Green is always the ground wire!
Personally for model trains it don't matter about color codes for a house type layout.
Lee F.
Lee,
Lord knows I'm no electrical genius having turned to Bob and others on this forum for help many times but I think Bob's objection is to the use of the terms "positive" and "negative" rather than the color of the wires.
I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time or the last but that's my honest opinion. If I am, to you Lee and Bob, my apologies
Mike
Mike, I was mostly objecting to the positive-negative thing. Lee, I do prefer white for the common--but that's just a personal preference. I expect that black would seem more natural to an Englishman and light blue more natural to other Europeans.
Now that we are back on track, pardon the pun, let's take a look at the February 2004 issue of CTT, specifically page 61, where the author Neil Besougloff states, "Since we're dealing with alternating current (AC) on our layout, we'll use the terms "power" wire and "return" wire instead of "positive" and "negative" wire.
Precedence is a wonderful thing!!!
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Buckeye, I hate to be negative; but I'm positive that I must correct you, even if it hertz: Neil was the editor, not the precedent.
That is correct, but it doesn't hertz, because Neil I'm positive was the author and Gerald Boettcher was the precendnt. It says so in red and black on pages 8 an 9, but the white background neutralizes the green.
lionelsoni Buckeye, I hate to be negative; but I'm positive that I must correct you, even if it hertz: Neil was the editor, not the precedent.
Sounds like a SHORTED CIRCUIT to me. Bob, I couldn't resistor.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
You have all relay made my head hertz. Most be doe to my currently overloaded capacitor!
Watt?
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