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I bought a terminal block from Amazon that is different from previous terminal blocks I have bought.  It is made by OONO and has a 16 ampere rating.  The main difference between this product and the other terminal blocks is that it provides parallel hot and neutral (or A and B) outputs on both sides of the block as opposed to all hot on one side and all neutral on the other.  In other words, each red and black pair of wires are connected right next to each other, not on opposite sides of the block.  This may help make it easier to keep wiring neater and more organized.  At 7/8" x <3-7/8", it is compact and comes with spacers and mounting screws so no additional hardware is required to mount it.  I paid $9.99 for it.  It also has input and output terminals in addition to the twelve pairs of regular outputs.  In total, there are 14 pairs or 28 screw posts: 14 hot or A and 14 neutral or B.

If you need 20 amps or prefer using a barrier terminal with spade connectors crimped to the ends of the wires, there is a similar 20 ampere 2x10 position barrier terminal block at $15.99.  It also comes with all required hardware including one each red and black banana plugs for the input, eleven pairs of black and red crimp-on spade connectors for the outputs (ten regular outputs plus one additional at the end to daisy chain to the next block or to use as an eleventh regular output) and four spacers and screws to mount the block.

The attached photos are of the 16-ampere version I bought; there are more detailed and informative photos and diagrams with measurements for both products available on Amazon's website:

20 ampere 2 x 10 terminal block

16 ampere 2 x 12 terminal block

IMG_20220109_135553[1]IMG_20220109_135600[1]

IMG_20220109_135610[1]

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  • Terminal Block Top with spacers and mounting screws: Terminal Block Top with spacers and mounting screws
  • Terminal Block Side showing adjacent A and B terminals: Terminal Block Side showing adjacent A and B terminals
  • Terminal Block Underside: Terminal Block Underside
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After posting the above, I found that there is a better deal on these blocks from the CZH-LABS website:

CZH-LABS web page for power distribution modules

UPDATE:  On some items you need to order at least ten units to get a lower price.  However, it appears they do offer free shipping regardless of quantity.

Last edited by PGentieu

Interesting, but I think they have a little error in their application suggestions...   This is a 16 amp rated block, but unless the PCB traces are rated at 64 amps, not to mention the end connectors as well, this wiring method imposes significant limitations on it's current carrying capability.

Theoretically true.  However,  in practical applications, 64 amperes is many times over any current or power source used in O scale model railroading.  I think of it like the 15-ampere rated outlets or receptacles in a house wiring circuit - there may be four or more outlets on a single 15-ampere circuit breaker protected line but the total demand on the line does not normally exceed 15 amperes regardless of how many receptacles are in use. 

My recollection is that the MTH 24 port terminal block also provides "parallel" connections with both + and - terminals on the same side of the block; albeit at a more expensive price point. It's a little confusing, but note that the A+ and B- markings next to the red and black connection posts do not mean that + is all on the left side and - is all on the right side.



MTH 24 PORT 

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  • MTH 24 PORT

Has anyone used DIN Rail Terminal Blocks when wiring up their train table? I built and designed control panels for pump systems and other industrial/commercial equipment in another career/life. The blocks I used to build those out are completely scalable, modular, buss-able, and can really keep things tidy and serviceable. They tolerate up to 20~50 amps of up to 300~600 volts so I'm certain they'd tolerate my choo-choo trains. I am planning a table, I hope to start next year. The image is a section of a control panel from a pump station, but I'm sure you see how these could be used for complicated toy train tables. The two links below are just quickly searched from the web. The blocks mount on DIN Rail so that they can be moved/changed if needed and come in several colors that can be used to help keep things straight visually, and can be numbered & labelled.  Some screw down and some are screwless (they clamp/pinch the wire) and are still rated for similar electric loads. 20170828_082826

https://a.co/d/7hziIqg

https://www.automationdirect.c...ccessories/dn-q12b-a

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  • 20170828_082826: pump station control panel

1713C65C-13FB-4B32-A581-E3C87F4C4DA0FDCF59D8-9B8F-4132-9D71-EB5AF5099FF8I used DIN rail extensively on my layout, particularly for extending Fastrack switch controller wires. I use 4 wire phone cable because the colors match. I have had to replace some Euro style strips because the screws will cut the wire, especially solid strand phone wire. The DIN rail style that clamps the wire is so much more reliable. I did have trouble finding buss bars for different styles, though. Some of them were two tiered. I never could find the ones that make the wires look like @woodsyT's picture.

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  • 1713C65C-13FB-4B32-A581-E3C87F4C4DA0
  • FDCF59D8-9B8F-4132-9D71-EB5AF5099FF8
Last edited by John H

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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