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Reply to "Re-wiring Layout"

@AmFlyer posted:

I once had a professor that would frequently say "as is obvious to the casual observer..."! There are many things about wiring that are not always obvious. You have correctly phased the two Z4000's supplying track power. The downside of using a common return is the current (amps) in the return is the sum of all the current in the four supply channels. So if two handles are supplying 4A and two are supplying 2A during operation the common return is carrying  12A, greatly increasing the voltage drop unless a much larger return conductor is used.

Tom, I'm sure what you say is accurate and I appreciate your input, but I do not fully understand it. LOL.

When I run my trains, I rarely run more than one locomotive at a time. I will often run a train from my inner loop to my outer loop, and vice-a-versa,  and from a main line to a siding, keeping the track voltage the same for the main loops and sidings.  By limiting my train operations this way, based on what you say, I think I will be OK connecting the ground wires for the main lines and sidings to the same common bus wire.

Does that make sense?

Last edited by Arnold D. Cribari

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