"Power Districts"

[TrainsRMe1]

Hello All,

       I have a 19 x 18 Nscale layout, it's going to have two yards, but no reversal loops,  for a layout that size whould it be best to divide it up into power districts?? and can I divide it by simply using insulated rail joiners or gapping the rail???   Thanks

                                                           trainsrme1

[HHPATH56]

Are you going for DCC? For a DC layout, dividing the layout into "blocks" has some advantages. On my 24'x24' DCC HO layout I have five Power Districts. The idea of gaping the rails between Power Districts, (with insulated joiners), is to help in finding the location of s "Short", or (for larger layouts), to include a "Booster" to that District's Bus. Since, you have no "reverse loops", you do not need "Reverse Loop Modules". I have a simple toggle switch between the Main Bus and each District, so that one can turn "off/on" power to a single district to locate a "short". or to work on that district's rails, while the rest of the districts are still operating, or is shut off. Bob Hahn

[mobilman44]

Hi!

Be it DC or DCC, I would definitely divide it into blocks (DC) or power districts (DCC) which are in effect the same thing. 

I've always isolated mine with plastic rail joiners, although a slice with a Dremel moto tool will do the trick as well.   I prefer the plastic rail joiners as the tracks can expand(actually its usually the benchwork) and close the gaps.

I also prefer isolating both rails, although you could get away with just one.   Doing both is a sure thing, however.

The reasons for doing the blocks/power districts are few in number, and vary for DCC and DC.   But, for both of them, a common benefit is isolating problem areas.  This allows the operator to more rapidly focus on a specific area for a "short", as opposed to having to search the entire layout.

[Texas Zepher]

TrainsRMe1

       I have a 19 x 18 Nscale layout, it's going to have two yards, but no reversal loops,  for a layout that size whould it be best to divide it up into power districts??

Assuming you are talking about DCC.....   The size of the layout is not the significant factor.  The number and distributionof power consuming units (locomotives, turnout controls, signals, etc.) are what is significant.  Will each yard have a place where many locomotives will be sitting sucking up power?   How many units will be on each section of track at the same time?   How much power does each locomotive or turnout control consume.

If one assumes each yard will have an accumulation of locos, then it sounds like there might be a need for at least three power districts.  One in each yard and one for the main line.   Depending on the number of locos working in the yard perhaps one for each loco service/storage facility and one for each yard.

and can I divide it by simply using insulated rail joiners or gapping the rail.

Yes.  Generally you would want to gap both rails.

[Stevert]

mobilman44

I've always isolated mine with plastic rail joiners, although a slice with a Dremel moto tool will do the trick as well.   I prefer the plastic rail joiners as the tracks can expand(actually its usually the benchwork) and close the gaps.

Slice the rail, CA a styrene filler in the gap, file to the rail's contour, and weather.  Repeat on the other rail.

Then mark them with a whistle post or mile marker because you'll have gaps that can't be seen and will never close up.

[richhotrain]

Call me lucky if you will but I have been operating a 25' x 42' DCC layout for 8 years now as a single power district with 4 separate reversing sections and a single 5 amp booster. 

Rich

[bearman]

Rich, you are definitely lucky.

[TrainsRMe1]

Rich you are the lucky one

[gandydancer19]

TrainsRMe1, You still haven't said if you are using DCC or DC.

[mobilman44]

To the OP..................

  Hello, are you out there ???

[TrainsRMe1]

sorry gandydancer. the layout is dcc

[mlehman]

   trainsrme1,

I assume that you want to install circuit breakers like DCC Specialties PSX or something similar?

I think it depends on how many people will be operating and how complicated the track is. People and track cause shorts...duh, but often that's a good basic way to think about it. The idea of the power district is to isolate your mistakes from someone else's train so that your short doesn't interrupt their action.

The trains can be nearby or far away. If it's ONLY ever going to be you operating one train at a time, then your short will never interfere with anyone else. You don't even need power districts there.

On the other hand, you could have someone working the yard, someone else on the main, and another train on a branch line. Divide it up so that's how 3 breakers  will cover it and you'll avoid most cases of shorts one place causing an issue elsewhere.

Obviously, you can avoid all such interactions. The branch train has to leave the yard, follow the main and take the branch at the junction...but most of the time things will be better when broken down into power districts.