Gentlemen,
As an engineer I tend to over kill my layouts with both high grade Transformers and good 14 Gauge Stranded Copper Wiring, sure the Speaker wire will get the job done, myself I over engineer my layouts, and my DCS signal and my voltage never have a problem. I like the way good Industrial14 Gauge Stranded Copper wire always gives me a DCS 10 signal thru out my entire Christmas layout. I started using the good wire with my bigger multi level layout, when DCS 1st came out. Long ago on some good advise, I built my 1st DCS layout with good industrial 14 Gauge Stranded wire, and have never had a problem with any of my DCS controlled layout, The Legacy when added to the DCS layout runs thru the TIU to one outside rail, and the oppsite outside rail directly from the Legacy Base, that particular wire running directly from the Legacy Base to the opposite outside rail is only 16 Gauge stranded speaker wire, I have had no problems with the Legacy signal either.
IMO always over engineer your O Gauge DCS/Legacy Layouts.
PCRR/Dave
I am not an engineer. What does this mean "good wire" - if it is "stranded "copper"" what is the difference and how does one know it is "good"? Is it the exterior coating? Is it the diameter of each strand? Is the number of strands in said gauge? Is it....I dunno...
4G-Man- yes, yes, and yes to all of your questions.
What PCRR/Dave is talking about is to use better grade of wire for a layout. When you move up to these types of wire one of the major differences is insulation type. The diameter of the wire (gauge), is no different, but the insulation and voltage rating is. Stranded building wire goes by several different types, THHN, THHW, THWN, etc. This indicates the insulation type. The voltage rating of these types of wire would typically be 600V while speaker wire would be rated 300V or below. I have used mostly speaker wire on my layout with some 300V rated single conductor as well. Speaker wire will usually have more fine strands while building wire is usually 19. The finer strands give the wire more surface area and therefore lower resistance for audio and low voltage signals. Every layout is unique and I am not advocating one over the other.
If you want to combine the best of both then use "S" type cords. This is what extension cords are made of, They go by S, SJ, SJT, etc. Home Depot and Lowes sell this stuff by the foot. Usually in 3 or 4 conductors. Pricey though and you have to strip back the outer jacket to get at the conductors.
I agree with PCRR/Dave- trouble shooting wiring problems after you think you are done is a pain. The better wiring job you do the less chance of problems and back trouble from twisting around under your layout. Test as you go.
Bob