PTC and TVS - Some Commonly Used Sizes and Part Numbers (from other threads)
This started in another thread and some thought it would good for future reference. It's a list of some commonly used resettable fuses and TVS diodes to help protect against damage to electronics. I will add to the list when/if more information becomes available.
Original thread here: Electric RR and PTC Resettable Fuses - (GRJ) - gunrunnerjohn
PTC resettable Fuse - 750mA hold, 1.5A trip for ERR Cruise Commander Lite - Digi-Key: MF-R075-0-99-ND - Notes: These go in one of the motor leads to protect a the drivers from a stalled motor. Only used for the Cruise Commander Lite. (GRJ)
PTC resettable Fuse - 130mA hold, 250mA trip for passenger car LED lighting - Digi-Key: 490-4808-1-ND - Notes: As long as the trip is around 250mA, the hold takes care of itself for LED passenger car lighting applications. (GRJ) Edit: 05-15-2021 - passenger car LED lighting - Stan2004 has pointed out in this thread MTH Passenger Car Wiring up in smoke that this PTC had been discontinued (but Digikey still had some in stock at that time). Here is a link to a replacement found and posted to that thread by GRJ, also from Digi-Key: 507-1332-ND - this one is also less expensive.
PTC resettable Fuse - 0.5A hold, 1A trip for Fastrack Uncoupler tracks drawing about 1.8A - Digi-Key: MF-R050-ND (other brands of un-coupler tracks may have similar requirements?) (Info - PLCPROF; Part #'s - NVOCC5, PLCPROF, GRJ) Update 09/20/2016 - Gargraves un-coupler tracks use approx. 2.1 amps and the old Lionel UCS tracks use approx. 1.2 amps. No info on recommended PTCs for these items, none have been tested. (Info - RJR)
PTC resettable Fuse - 50mA hold, 100mA trip for MTH smoke fan motors - Digi-Key: MF-R005-0-ND - (MTH smoke fan motors should not draw more than 50mA) (Info from a question in this thread started by WillyGee. (GRJ, WillyGee)
TVS Diodes are used to help guard against voltage spikes on a layout. Some recommended locations for them around a layout would be across the transformer outputs and across the tracks at each track power drop.
TVS - Conventional - Digi-Key Part Number 1.5KE36CALFCT-ND - 1.5KE36CA - 36 volt, bi-directional - Sized for a PWZW when the whistle button is depressed. This peaks over 33 volts if the compensation winding is considered. (Part number recommended by many, explanation by Dale H) (Digi-Key part numbers from GRJ)
TVS - Command Control - Digi-Key Part Number 1.5KE33CALFCT-ND - 1.5KE33CA - 33 volt, bi-directional - Sized for the modern 18 volt bricks. The 18 volts peaks a bit over 25 volts. (HiRailers Unlimited & Independent HiRailers Group, explanation by Dale H) (Digi-Key part numbers derived from GRJ's above for 33 volt version)
For the TVS, I believe the 1.5KE36CA is the most recommended here on the forum and also the most widely used as it seems it would be suitable for either the modern bricks or the transformers with whistle buttons.
In the thread: TIU no power through fixed 2 after spark there is discussion about using a 1.5KE39CA (Digikey: 1.5KE39CALFCT-ND) for folks using 19-22 volts for track power (Z-4000 at full power for example). The higher 19-22 volts are reaching the limits of the TVS supplied in TIUs (1.5KE33CA) and these may last much longer and still provide protection. Also, note that any power to Lionel command control equipped products should not exceed 19 volts maximum to the track. (Per Lionel instructions stating not to exceed 19 VAC or damage to the product may occur.)
Here's some added info on chokes used with DCS to help eliminate interference with the DCS signal from other devices. The thread is here: TIU Active vs Passive Mode DCS Signal Voltage. The part (selected by GRJ) is Bourns Inc. SRP1770TA-220M from Digi-Key. It's 12 amp and can be used on the TIU channel's full power which is a maximum of 10 amps. (Adrain! and GRJ)
Any and All corrections and/or additions welcome. They will be added as soon as I see them posted here or I get them via email.
I also posted this as an addition to the ELECTRICAL REFERENCE MATERIALS & MANUALS thread for Reference Only. Please, No additional Comments to that thread.
So we don't add clutter the 'Electrical Reference Materials & Manuals'thread with a bunch of unnecessary comments, please use this thread for further additions, corrections, discussion and any questions you might have. You can also email me with any corrections or additions. My email is in my profile. Thanks!
Last Updated 12/01/2019
