A tmcc lock on only takes a transformers voltage and applies it to the track and guards against overloads or shorts. If you connect a powerhouse brick to it you will get a straight 18 volts more or less. If you connect a regular transformer you would get the voltage the you set at the handle.
Not quite. The TMCC Lock On doesn't apply any voltage to the track until the transformer voltage is at least 13 volts. At that point a relay closes and then the voltage does track increasing transformer voltages. When you reduce voltage the relay drops out at around 11 volts. Its designed with a very fast circuit breaker to protect the transformer from shorts. Best used with older transformers with slow breakers like a PW ZW. Its pretty much useless to try and run conventional as the track will go from zero to 13 volts instantly. Thats why you need a Powermaster or TPC. BTW these do not contain any internal transient voltage suppressors (TVS) so its good practice to install one at the output of the TMCC Lock On.
Pete
