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Model Railway Accessories – UK and Continental Railways

MODEL RAILWAY ELECTRICS

HELP - TERMINOLOGY & GLOSSARY

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MODEL RAILWAY AND TRAIN ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

There are many different power supplies available within the Model Industry.

Please read all the manufacturers instructions before attempting to connect any power supply to an electrical device.

Using an incorrect power supply may damage the product – It may work initially but may burn out due to incorrect voltage or amperage being used.

There are supplies that are DC or AC. The correct one must be used.

Some products call for the use of Diodes and or Resistors and or Regulators and or Controllers.

THE CORRECT SUPPLY MUST BE USED AT ALL TIMES

For further information please email or telephone 01588 660580 or goto www.cravenmodels.com

SYMBOLS USED IN PRODUCT MARKING

Symbol	Description
	AC
	DC
	AC or DC
	Positive
	Negative
	Ground
	Diode
	Audible Continuity
Hz	Hertz
	Capacitor
MFD	MicroFarads
µ	Micro
m	Milli
M	Mega
K	Kilo
OL	Overload

ANALOGUE MODEL RAILWAY ELECTRICS BOOKLET

ANALOGUE TERMINOLOGY - MODEL RAILWAY CONTROL

• A.C. CURRENT: Alternating Current (AC, also ac ) ( ~ ) the movement (or flow) of electric charge periodically reverses direction. An electric charge would for instance move forward, then backward, then forward, then backward, over and over again. In Direct Current (DC), the movement (or flow) of electric charge is only in one direction. If AC is used instead of DC some accessories will flicker – alternate on and off – Signals and lighting etc if not designed to do so.

Some Electrical products that can use AC or DC are usually marked with the symbol but please follow manufacturers instructions and use any additional converter or product or component recommended.

• AMPS: AMPERS. This measurement is called Current and is measured in amperes. It is the size of the current that can make electricity dangerous. A 12 volt car battery with a large amperage can give you a nasty shock and possibly a burn to the skin. Volts x Amps = Watts. Some products or circuits will be protected by AMP FUSES to protect the component or appliance from damage. A household appliance of 240 volts with 5 amp current equates to 1200 watts. Or a 240 volt 750 watt appliance will have a current rating of 3.125 amps.

• ANALOGUE CONTROL: Conventional track voltage control system, typically varying between 0 and 12 volts DC for speed control and polarity reversal for direction control.

• COMMON RETURN: A conductor which is common to more than one part of an electrical circuit and which forms the return path for the current from these parts of the circuit. Normally one rail of all sections or circuits of a layout is chosen as the common rail and current from all these sections or circuits returns to the power supply through this rail. The other rail can then be divided into sections or circuits as required.

• CUTOUT: A protective device built into an electrical circuit for the purpose of switching off the current when the load reaches a predetermined number of amps. All Gaugemaster controllers and cased transformers are fitted with these devices on all outputs. They reset automatically when the cause of the overload is removed.

• D.C. CURRENT: D.C. ( - ) current flows constantly in the same direction along its conductors which are termed positive and negative. The polarity of the conductors can be reversed and the current flows in the opposite direction. All controlled outputs from Gaugemaster controllers produce D.C. current which has been converted by the controller from A.C. current delivered by the transformer.

• FEEDBACK: Feedback controllers create a closed loop between the controller and the locomotive which senses the load in the circuit and constantly adjusts the output. This will maintain the locomotive at an even speed up and down gradients and around curves without altering the regulator of the controller. Feedback controllers are not suitable for Portescap or other coreless motors or for poor quality mechanisms particularly in ‘N’ and other small gauges.

• INERTIA: See Simulator

• MOMENTUM: See Simulator

• POLARITY: The two directions of current flow, positive (+) and negative (-), or potential in an electrical circuit.

• PRIMARY WINDING: This is the winding of a transformer which is connected to the source of supply, normally the mains.

• REVERSE LOOP: A reverse loop is created where a track leaves a circuit and then rejoins it with the train going in the opposite direction. This will result in a short circuit unless the section is isolated from the rest of the circuit. A DPDT switch is then used to reverse the polarity of the circuit concerned.

• SECONDARY WINDING: This is the output winding of a transformer and is usually isolated from primary winding. Many transformers have two secondary windings.

• SIMULATOR: This is sometimes called "inertia" or "momentum". It allows controllers so fitted to automatically accelerate a train, allow it to coast or be braked to a standstill. This is achieved by two controls, a regulator and a brake and gives more realistic acceleration and braking. In Gaugemaster controllers it can be switched off to allow the controller to be operated with standard control.

• TRACK ISOLATION: Track isolation is particularly important with modern controllers. You should always ensure it is not possible for more than one controlled output to be connected to the same circuit or section at the same time. You should similarly ensure that A.C. and uncontrolled outputs are not connected to a controlled circuit.

• TRANSFORMER: A device designed to change the voltage of an A.C. supply. All transformers deliver A.C. current and this is converted to D.C. by the rectifier circuit in a Gaugemaster controller (see also primary and secondary winding). Transformers are often used to power accessories on a layout (e.g. Point Motors).

• VOLT: This is the standard unit of electrical pressure, and indicates the potential difference between conductors in a circuit, it can be either A.C. or D.C.

DIGITAL TERMINOLOGY – DCC Digital Command Control

DIGITAL MODEL RAILWAYS

• DIGITAL: A train command system, fast gaining ground on older Analogue systems in terms of popularity. Whereas analogue systems work by providing a regulated supply of power to the track that increases or decreases according to user input, Digital systems supply a constant power supply to the entire layout. Trains are operated through a command signal, sent through the track to the locomotive. With each locomotive operating on it's own frequency, locomotives can be commanded individually. See the article Introducing the World of Digital for a more detailed description.

• ACCESSORY DECODER OR MODULE Used to control any accessories on a layout, such as signals, lighting, points and so on.

• ADDRESS: A number identifying each individual locomotive and accessory decoder on a layout. When a controller is set to a particular address, only the decoder set to the corresponding address can read the instructions from the controller.

• BOOSTER: Used to supply power to the track, and to increase the rating on an existing supply. One or more can be used alongside the Command Station.

• COMMAND STATION: The central hub, or brain of the Digital system, this unit is where control data is converted into electronic format before being sent to the track. Only one command station should be used per layout.

• CONSISTING: See Double Heading

• CV: Configuration Variable. Components within a decoder which store the characteristics of that device. Each component has it's own reference number, and these can be individually programmed.

• DCC: Digital Command Control. A control system for Digital model railways that is now the most widespread system worldwide. The standard set down by the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) in the USA allows equipment from different manufacturers to be used together. The Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance System uses the DCC command language.

• DECODER: Circuit board used for operating Digital models. Any locomotive or accessory to be used on a digital system requires a decoder, which receives and interprets the Digital information sent by the Controller. Many decoders offer added functions such as lighting, sound and so on. These are referred to as multi-function decoders.

• DOUBLE HEADING: Often known as consisting or multi-traction, a means whereby two or more locomotives can be run together under the same address.

• MAIN TRACK: Any track or section of track that is part of the normal railway layout - as opposed to Programming Track

• MULTI-TRACTION: See Double Heading

• NMRA CONFORMANCE: Products that have passed the NMRA's testing procedures are eligible for a Conformance Warrant if the manufacturer also agrees to fix any discrepancies that might become apparent in the future. The Conformance Seal is awarded by the NMRA for products passing the Conformance and Inspection program for particular NMRA standards.

• NMRA STANDARD: A code of practive developed by the National Model Railroad Association in order to acheive standardised decoder formats.

• PROGRAMMING: The action of setting the internal parameters of decoders and other control equipment. During programming, values are set for CV's to determine the characteristics of locomotives, decoders and other programmable Digital devices.

• PROGRAMMING TRACK: Many Digital systems require a ‘Programming Track’ separate from the rest of the layout on which to perform programming operations on locomotives.

• ROUTE: The simultaneous operation of a series of points along a designated section of your railway.

• SPEED STEPS: Controllable voltage increments which are used to control motor speed on a locomotive. Some decoders allow the output power to be set for each speed step. The range from zero to full power is divided equally into 14, 28 or 128 speed steps.

Introducing the world of digital

As the Model Railway hobby develops, and the technology improves, so the horizons and aspirations of the modellers themselves increase. More is now expected from a layout in terms operational flexibility and capability, and new technologies and methods are developed to reflect this. Digital technologies are at the forefront of this development.

In actual fact, however, the technology for Digital control has been in existence around the world for many years, but is only more recently taking hold in the UK. So what is Digital, how does it work, and what are the advantages over the traditional form of Analogue control?

WHAT IS DIGITAL?

The main difference between a Digital system and the more traditional Analogue system is the way that the power is supplied to the layout. The philosophy is that the user controls the train rather than the track that it is running on.

With analogue control, the user sets the desired speed of the locomotive, and this determines the proportionate amount of current to be supplied to the track by the controller. The disadvantage of this method of control is that each train on the track will respond in exactly the same way. In order to have different trains running in different directions and at different speeds, a layout has to be broken down into different sections of track each with an individual controller.

With Digital control power is supplied to the track constantly, and each locomotive will respond only to the commands relevant to it. This works through the use of a decoder fitted in each locomotive, which is able to interpret the commands sent from the controller and determine which ones are intended for that locomotive.

This means that each train can be controlled individually without the need for different track sections and all the complications involved in breaking one layout into separate, isolated electric circuits.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL?

The first benefit of a Digital system over Analogue comes in the building of a layout. Without the need for isolated sections, the wiring required is significantly reduced in an instant. On a basic layout with digital control power can be supplied to the track via only two wires, connecting to the track at one point. This is sufficient to supply power to multiple tracks, loops and sidings without any additional wiring. Whilst more wiring will be required for larger and more complex layouts, there is still nowhere near the complexity of electrics required with analogue control.

From an operational point of view, digital brings a number of benefits:

· Operate more trains simultaneously on your layout.

One controller can be used to set the speed and direction of a train, then be switched to take control of the next train without disturbing the control of the first train.

· Each locomotive responds to individual commands.

Every digital locomotive contains a decoder with an "address". Commands for each locomotive will be "delivered" only to that address. This means that different speeds and directions can be set for locomotives on the same track.

· Double heading and multiple units.

Multiple train control opens up the possibility for replicating Double Heading, Banking Locomotives and other prototypical railway operations that are only possible on analogue by using non-motorised locomotives alongside a single motorised loco.

· Lighting, Sound & Steam Effects.

With digital comes the ability to control additional functions within each locomotives, such as directional running lights, interior lighting effects, on board sound effects and smoke generators for steam locomotives. Whilst these functions can be found on analogue locomotives, digital brings a new level of control, with the user able to activate/deactivate individual functions as and when they want, as opposed the "always on" nature of analogue.

· Additional locomotive functions.

Other functions such as controllable couplings and pantographs, shunting speeds and so on can be found on digital systems, all of which add to the involvement level and fun-factor for the modeller.

· Control of trackwork & accessories.

Most digital systems will offer the user the opportunity to use decoder-fitted accessories such as signals and point motors. This will bring the same level of control to these accessories as with the locomotives, such as the ability to change sequences of accessories with a single push of a button.

These are just some of the features of digital control currently available. There are many more, and the scope exists for future expansion. All of this makes digital control the most exciting technology in the modelling hobby, and it is fair to say that the possibilities are almost endless when it comes to operating a layout and replicating what you might find on the real thing.

WHY START WITH DIGITAL RATHER THAN ANALOGUE?

In addition to all of the benefits listed above, it is also important to consider future developments. Whereas the advancement and improvement seen in analogue control is now limited, digital control has the potential to continue growing and improving for many years to come.

For those making a start in the hobby, digital offers a much easier introduction than analogue, as the work involved in setting up a reasonable layout is much less, and much simpler, and the potential much greater.

Far from being "too complicated" or "just for experts", digital is in essence ideal for beginners, as it lends itself very well to a smaller layout, but can be easily expanded and upgraded as well.

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