Chuck,
There is little doubt that the electronic breakers are better engineering than the thermals, however the cost is 10 times as much, and I have never had any problems on my layout using the thermal low cost Scott type breakers. Now if I ever do develop a problem, then I might consider going in that expensive direction. 1st however I would invest in the Blue Sea Marine resettable thermal Breakers, to make sure my very old $7.50, 4 bank of Scott Type Thermal Breakers, had finally failed to do the job correctly.
Guns,
If you run DCS and use the 180 Bricks with the great Fast Breakers they provide, rather than using a Z4k, you loose the dual channel capability of the Z4k and the side receiver that opens up so many more operating options, than the 180 Brick can provide. I would much rather have the good Z4K Transformer, and even use the Scott type Breakers in front of it and the old ZW that has 4 operating Channels, than limit my layout operation with a 180 Brick, just because it has a good fast operating breaker. The Thermal Breakers have been reliable thru many years of usage, and the Transformers, old and new give power options the 180 Bricks can never provide.
We always have looked at this in different engineering manners.
JGL,
IMO there is no need for the expensive very fast action electric Breakers, when the inexpensive thermal breakers do the job just fine.
PCRR/Dave
