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Reply to "Beginner question: Can one transformer do it all or do I need different brands?"

Using any transformer you can encounter 2 problems.

"Shorts" current that is too high (short circuit), and voltage that is too high, "spikes"

A 5 amp circuit breaker that is on the "output side" between your track and the transformer will protect you from "short circuits".

 

A TVS ( transient voltage suppressor) diode between the outside rail and the center rail via a loc on or soldered to the underside of the rails will protect your loco electronics from "SPIKES"

You wire a TVS diode  (1.5KE36CA that you can get from most electronic distributors) or even maybe your LHS, 

ACCROSS  the output terminals of your transformer; that is, between Red and Black, or hot and ground. On a postwar ZW this means you simply hook it up ACCROSS  posts U and A, just wrap the wire on each  post ( U & A),  assuming you are using them as the throttle for power to the track. You can then put one btwn (U and B), and (U and C),  and (U and D).

You SHOULD also spread a few TVS diodes around your track (between the outside rail and the center rail), at several points around the layout.  (Multiple loc-ons are convenient.)

TVS diodes are bi-directional ..so no special worries about which end where. TVS diodes are invisible at normal track voltages and will only act when a spike occurs. 

I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folks here who can recommend a diode source and probably better ways to utilize them.

Last edited by justakid

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