I
n the years that I’ve worked with DCC, I’ve heard many
“truths” about DCC that just aren’t correct. Or, they may
be correct for one situation, but not for another. So, in true
“Ghostbuster” tradition, I decided to take some of these head-
on. I asked a few friends to contribute their favorites.
You know it is easy to believe something that you see on TV or
on the Internet as being gospel, not realizing that it is pretty
easy for inaccuracies to get out there.
1. The DCC track signal is AC (or DC) voltage
The correct answer is: “D, none of the above”.
DCC puts a voltage across the rails that is a collection of com-
puter data pulses. Assume a 15 volt track voltage; at any
given time, the voltage on one rail will be 15 volts higher than
the other. They take turns being the higher voltage and they
switch at the same time. The time span between when they
switch varies based on the data being sent between the DCC
DCC Impulses column
by Bruce Petrarca
Photos and illustrations by author
These must be true, because folks say them...
DCC Impulses Column - 1
Myths of DCC
DCC tips, tricks, and techniques
MRH-Mar 2014
