DCC Short detection - 1
L
ike many other model railroaders, I find that trouble-
shooting short circuits on a layout, even a modest one
such as my own, can be one of the most frustrating
things we ever do. The good news is, I discovered that it is pos-
sible to use an inexpensive clamp-on amp meter (ammeter)
and a pair of automotive taillight lamps to rapidly track down
short circuits on a DCC layout by actually measuring the cur-
rent flowing in each wire. (This is yet another reason to switch
to DCC, as this fast and easy troubleshooting method will not
work for conventional DC layouts.)
A few years ago, when our local Charlotte, NC round robin group
met at my house, a gremlin appeared on my Little Mountain and
DCC short circuit detection
Finding those
pesky shorts ...
– Dick Bronson
Model photos by author
MRH-Feb 2013
