Alternate point to point wiring scheme
I use DCS and conventional power for my layout and use isolated blocks. I have found that running two conductor cable to "each" block is much more reliable and assures that the signal from my DCS system is provided by a continuous wire to the track. Each block has a connection to both the center rail and the outside rail of every block. This way I can easily isolate a power problem to a block. I then do not have to trouble shoot an entire "power bus". Each "block" is also individually fused so that a derailment will only affect that block and none other. I use 18 gauge two conductor cable since my cable length is under 12 feet maximum.
Note: I have found that the extra cost for wire is actually less than the need to supply bus bars and multiple connectors for a "bus" system. As already mentioned individual block wiring is very easy to trouble shoot since only one pair of wires is involved. Each wire pair can be identified with a label indicating the "block" number and individual fuse number. This block number is also shown on my Dispatcher Panel.
