@RJT posted:Why is bus wiring not recommended for DCS? I did the star arrangement on my last layout but did not have insulator pins installed in the layout except at turnouts.
I've built 2 temporary layouts without insulating pins and had no problems, However, there are many posts on this forum of DCS signal problems. Currently there's a member experiencing a locomotive that responds twice to a command. Example, crossing signal repeats. Those most in the know believe this is due to the signal reflecting back. You have to be educated in high frequency communication to understand this concept. If you had a TIU prior to version L, you'd be familiar with the magic light bulb trick. The light bulb reduced the signal reflections. I have no idea why version L is different.
The recommendation is to not have any power loops, so the DCS signal doesn't leave the TIU in 2 different directions and crash into itself.
If building a temporary layout, I wouldn't worry about. You can change it if there are problems. It's not so easy with a permanent layout.
