Circuit Breakers

[Geoff]

I have just found these and they look really handy.

http://www.microminiatures.co.uk/acatalog/Circuit-Breakers.html

[edwin_m]

I'd be very cautious about these - just googled and found this page and the trip time of the little blue ones is around 30 seconds, by which time anything they are supposed to be protecting will probably have melted. 

http://uk.farnell.com/multicomp/an-101-fc67200/circuit-breaker-1a/dp/698234

There's no part number to google for the other one but it's probably similar, and 3A is too much for N gauge anyway. 

[trainsdownunder]

Loking at the data sheet a little more closely the trip time is dependant on overflow current.

The 1 Amp trips within 30 if 100% overload dropping to between 1 & 5 secs with 300% overload. Most decoders have a stall reading of around 2A so I would suggest caution in use to avoid frying those "expensive Chips"

Don't want to go protecting a £2.99 trip with a £25 decoder !

More details on stall currents at https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/decoders/decoder-motor-ratings

[Malc]

I was going to get one for my lights.

[Geoff]

Me to Malc I thought they would be handy but not now.

[edwin_m]

I doubt any circuit breaker that involves thermal action or mechanical movement (these have both) will be any good at protecting against overloads on DCC.  The cutout on a DCC command station and the circuit breakers designed for DCC power zones are fully solid state and rely on measuring the current, so have a much faster response time. 

[Geoff]

I doubt any circuit breaker that involves thermal action or mechanical movement (these have both) will be any good at protecting against overloads on DCC.  The cutout on a DCC command station and the circuit breakers designed for DCC power zones are fully solid state and rely on measuring the current, so have a much faster response time.

Thanks Edwin I will probably go down the digitrax route a little expensive but worth it.

[lil chris]

Just be carefull of some of the digitrax ones are mecanical ie work with relays, Your are better off with the Dcc specialties psx breakers they are digital.I am using 4 on my layout.

[Geoff]

Just be carefull of some of the digitrax ones are mecanical ie work with relays, Your are better off with the Dcc specialties psx breakers they are digital.I am using 4 on my layout.

Thanks for the heads up on that Chris.