@SteveH posted:In my opinion, to protect any single device with sensitive electronics, TVS diodes should be in at least a few other locations distributed around the layout to quickly dampen the high frequency high voltage spikes bouncing around the track circuit, especially near coils, transformers, and turnouts.
You have to be careful sprinkling TVS diodes around if you run DCS. The parts we use are a fairly high capacitance and will quickly damp out the DCS signal on the tracks if you get carried away installing them.
In truth, if you're really concerned about spikes and your expensive engines, take the time to install a TVS in each engine across the track power input wires. That's the very best place for them, and you will also only add the stray capacitance for the engines that are actually on the active powered up tracks.
