Wiring Gauge

The gauge of hook up wiring I started the M.A.T with was 22 gauge. Portions of the layout that were wired with this wire did not perform as expected. 22 gauge was the minimum wiring for my power supply. I took a big step and changed everything to 18 gauge wire. What a job, especially wiring those dpdt switches. All future wiring will be 18 gauge. Has anyone experienced difficulty with the gauge of wiring used? I don't know if it is just me but the locos perform better with the heavier gauge feeders.
I may be all wet so if you have been successful with any other gauges, please let me know.
Thanks
Robin
matthyro@aztec-net.com

 

Robin, I use 14 ga. wire for the power bus and solid copper telephone wire for the feeders. But, I have a TON of feeders. I felt it was better to have a fire hose, than a garden hose. No problems.


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Keep on Track'N
Harold Riley
www.phcomputing.com

 

Here is a simple published chart of wiring gauges to use. May help?

The smaller the wire the more resistance the lower the voltage at further distance. Copper wire the best to use. Multi small gauge feeders can be ran parallel to replace one larger gauge.

*** having trouble keeping chart lined up!?

AWO wire
sizes to carry:

Voltage Supply..........1A..3A..5A..10A
---------------------------------------------
wire length ft. ...-------gauge---------
...................6’..|.28..24..22...20
........................|
...................8’..|.22..20..18...16
........................|
..................12’..|.20..18..16...14
........................|
..................20’..|.18..16..14...12
........................|
..................30’..|.16..14..12...10
-----------------------------------------

...eddelozier

[This message has been edited by eddelozier (edited 15 April 2000).]

[This message has been edited by eddelozier (edited 15 April 2000).]

[This message has been edited by eddelozier (edited 15 April 2000).]

[This message has been edited by eddelozier (edited 15 April 2000).]

 

Hello,

Many thanks to eddelozier for answering a question I was about to post. .

I have a question though,
Is it possible to use the punchdown blocks from a telephone or network closet?

I figured, that with the many connections under a layout, they could be neatly "terminated" at the block and then punched from there to my Atlas controllers, switch machines, etc.

My equipment is too old and my eyes can't see that small to fit in DCC --- in case you're wondering...

Thanks in advance,
John

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. Big thanks to Eddelozier for the chart which I am sure we will all find useful.
Robin

 

John,
A central block source, for power works well if your power needs are close to the block. Heavy guage to the block from voltage source then smaller guage to the end requirement.
I use block type power supplies in a 6' x 3' yard area. Signal lights, controlled track sections. But most of my layout runs around the wall of a 25' x 25' room and that adds up to 50' wire runs in two directions from source. There I use heavy guage, loosely twisted pair of wires (red/white) split in the two dirctions. I then tap off the twisted pair for my supply.
No one way is the only way. Maintaining voltage levels forces you to use heavier guage wire and source tapping methods.
I learned too late in my model layout building that distance becomes a major factor. I've had to buy separate DC power supplies to handle all my lighting needs over the 100' x 2' layout. My wiring is by no means neat and planned. Next rebuild from scratch...I'll know to do it better.
Published info suggests using a heavy guage double wire source running around the track area, and then use them to tap off to track power using lighter guage. Every 10' of track section.
If you want a real challenge, work with train location relays and auto crossing gate signals! The power sources for these can use both low AC and fixed DC. Had to put small AC to DC power control circuits at individual locations, using the current fixed AC source I already had in place for my lights. This because of the 50' distance from any fixed DC source. What a job!

Feel more like a electrician than a modeler?

*My electric wishes for the coming year will be to build a live overhead catenary wiring to run my electrics, GG-1, etc. ???!

...eddelozier


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Eddie Delozier

 

Eddie,
Thank you very much for your response
I did find, on a layout I had before, that I had to run heavier gauge wiring for the power blocks, but the thinner 22 or 24g stuff is okay for switch machines, etc.

The layout I'm planning now can't be anymore than 4x8 max. I have to fit it in my bedroom with everything else plus two computers so I don't think length will be an issue.

Regards,

John

 

I have used double strand 22 gauge on my layout and can run five C-44 Kato DCC "consisted" engines with no problem. Lots of feeders from the layout previously using block control (now all connected).

I use eight 25-pin db computer plugs, four for each layout half, to connect the control board to the layout. All connections documented for troubleshooting.


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David
(aka nscaler)