Modelling Tip Of The Day

Modelling Tip Of The Day – 1

This Modelling Tip Of The Day is a new article series, in which we’ll be posting a modelling tip that may be of use to the newbie right up to the seasoned modeller.

Today’s tip is:

One for DCC (Digital Command Control) layouts. With DCC systems & traditional Analogue systems never try to directly mix them!! Always keep them both separate from each other.

However, you can have both on the same layout so long as each system is kept electrically isolated from the other. On my own layout, I have one track that can be operated from both systems but each system is kept isolated from each other via a DPDT switch that only allows one system to power the track at any one given time.

What is a DPDT switch?

Adding another pole to an SPDT switch (Single Pole Double Throw Switch) creates a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch. Basically, a DPDT switch is two SPDT switches in one, which can control two separate circuits but is always switched together by a single actuator.

So in simple terms allows power from one system to be on & powering the track, but keeps other systems power feed to the track turned off. Switching the switch over to the other system power to the track automatically cuts the power to the track from the other system. Thus only one power system at a time can only ever be used, using a DPDT switch.