DCC Impulses Column - 3
Advantages of bulbs
Bulbs are inexpensive
Bulbs operate instantly, allowing even fast systems like the
NCE PowerCab to be separated into sections.
Disadvantages of bulbs
Bulbs generate light (distracting) and heat (possibly a haz-
ard) when they are protecting a short.
Bulb protection draws the bulb’s rated current from the
DCC system during a short.
The spike of current (seen as a spark) when a short occurs
can pit wheels or whatever is causing the short.
When you have a bulb in series with a track section, the
track voltage will vary a bit, depending upon power being
consumed in the section. Two locos or a power hungry loco
may change speed upon entering the protected section.
3. PM42 4-section power manager from Digitrax. Digitrax,
Inc. photo.
3
MRH-Nov 2014
