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Post by troubleshooting on Feb 6, 2022 16:08:18 GMT -5
While I’m awaiting my Zephyr DCC system in the mail I’m reading about short circuit protection and I’m a little confused. When my rokuhan controller senses a short it just turns off. Can’t the zephyr just sense the short like this and turn off instead of burn up locos and wires? Is there no trip protector on the zephyr itself?
I understand the lightbulb wired in series eats up some current and can alert you to a short but is there no automatic solution like an automatic circuit breaker? I’m sure there is a reason it’s different than DC but I’m having trouble understanding why. Thanks in advance for the help.
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Post by tjdreams on Feb 6, 2022 16:56:15 GMT -5
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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 6, 2022 16:59:44 GMT -5
While I’m awaiting my Zephyr DCC system in the mail I’m reading about short circuit protection and I’m a little confused. When my rokuhan controller senses a short it just turns off. Can’t the zephyr just sense the short like this and turn off instead of burn up locos and wires? Is there no trip protector on the zephyr itself? Pretty much, yes. The only difference is that your Rokuhan controler will shut down until you reset it. The zephyr will auto reset every few seconds and try again. So it is important to fix the cause of the short if your zephyr trips off line, otherwise it will keep resetting and short circuiting over and over - eventually this could damage your equipment. Pay attention to what's happening with DCC. With Rokuhan, you can walk away with things running because if anything shorts, it will stay off until you return. |
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Post by troubleshooting on Feb 6, 2022 21:28:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Appreciate the info
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Post by BAZman on Feb 6, 2022 22:50:41 GMT -5
As Rob said, the short protectIon is automatic, disconnect power but re-checks for a short every few seconds, forever. #1 rule with DCC is: ALWAYS WATCH YOUR TRAINS !!
The DCC Specialties functions similar, shutting power off quickly however, it retries much faster, every 1/2 seconds. They do this on a ramp up of the Current, trying to quickly determine if it is a true (metal wheel) short or, a surge current (sound decoder or a keep-alive storage capacitors) before it actual shuts off (again).
The primary issue with DCC shorts is, during the short, the FULL power supply Current is applied, until the system (or external Circuit Breaker) senses and cuts off. Sorta OK for wheels but not good for wheel wipers and such small and loose connections.
The external Circuit Breaker (e.g. Power Shield) is typically for multiple power districts (e.g. yard, double mains, spur districts [prone to shorts], etc.)
The light bulb works ok but defeats the Zephyr. Using a #93 bulb 1Amp bulb STILL passes the Full power supply current until the bulb warms sub-second.
Just watch your trains, you’ll be alright.
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Post by rgs455 on Mar 26, 2022 3:31:27 GMT -5
While I’m awaiting my Zephyr DCC system in the mail I’m reading about short circuit protection and I’m a little confused. When my rokuhan controller senses a short it just turns off. Can’t the zephyr just sense the short like this and turn off instead of burn up locos and wires? Is there no trip protector on the zephyr itself? I understand the lightbulb wired in series eats up some current and can alert you to a short but is there no automatic solution like an automatic circuit breaker? I’m sure there is a reason it’s different than DC but I’m having trouble understanding why. Thanks in advance for the help. Having run H0n3 with DCC for 20 years now.. I can only say that having a protection device is a must if your DCC does not have a good one installed.. I'had a faulty hot axle melt a plastic truck sideframe and bad burnmarks on the drivers of a brass engine during an ops session on a big layout because there was no protection .. that 5Amp Booster just let 4 Amps out and roasted the shortening object.. and didn't even hum..now we use sections with each one beeing protected .. now more problems. In Z this is a must on any DCC layout.. BR Boris |
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