Module Wiring Return to the Roundhouse Return to the Central Station

Electrical:

We use a 6 bus system.  The first three busses are used for the three tracks.  The fourth is for the ground; the ground is common to all tracks and accessories.  The fifth and sixth are used for accessory power.

Bus wires should run the length of the module and terminate to barrier strips located on each end of the module.  Module connectors and track connections are also attached the barrier strips.  A minimum of 16 gauge stranded wire should be used; 14 gauge wire is recommended for the bus wires.

Wires are connected to the track by soldering them directly to the track or terminating them with spade lugs which are then inserted into the bottom of the rails and soldered (all wire terminations, spade lugs, pins, etc., should be soldered).  The black coating on the center rail should be scrapped away or removed with a Dremel or other moto-tool to facilitate soldering.  The same method can also be used to roughen the surface of stainless track for soldering. 

The following figure shows common components that can be obtained at any electrical supply outlet. 

The Molex type connectors used are no longer available at retail outlets.  The club maintains a stock for purchase by members.  The following figure shows the connector wiring.

The figure below shows the complete module wiring diagram.  The left and right side references are relative when facing the front of the module.

The diagram shows a separate ground wire for each track.  The wires are electrically tied together using a bus strip on one end.  However it is not necessary to run separate wires.  All ground rails can be wired together and only a single wire run to the barrier strip.  Signal control is one reason that multiple ground wires might be used.