Hello, I am presently wiring my layout for DCC (14 gauge BUS and 18 gauge FEEDER) and I will be using “terminal blocks”, some members mention that the have “daisy chained” the terminal blocks.
I’m a newbie, so can someone please explain me how this works and what is the purpose of using this method.
Thank you.
The bus wire runs from one terminal block to the next in daisy chain fashion, with the terminal blocks placed in locations where feeder wires are connected.
I make my own terminal strip jumpers using crimp type spade lugs and short pieces of wire. You can buy the spade lugs for #14 wire at a hardware stores. Usually big box hardware stores have a good assortment. They should be the blue colored spade lugs. Make sure the spade lug will fit the terminal block first.
You can buy these terminal strip jumpers also but there are different sizes for different brands and size of the terminal strip. A Google search for terminal block jumpers will give you and idea of what is available.
If you do not know the brand you have, just make your own. I would not expect you would need many jumpers for a buss feed.
Rich
Thanks for the quick replies, but I still can’t visualise what a “daisy chain” looks like, do you mean the terminal strips are all linked together (in series) and that I just connect the first terminal strip to the bus wire?
As I mentionned in my post, I’m a newbie so I need more detailed informations in order to visualise what I’m gonna do!
Thank you.
I use terminal strips with screw connectors and crimp-on terminals. The bus wire runs from the command station to a terminal strip and then splits off in both directions from there. At each terminal strip the wire continues through to the next terminal strip. That’s what daisy chaining means.
If you don’t undestand wiring any better than that, you need to get a book on electrical wiring or do some research on web sites, beginning with this one:
Ok, links for daisy chaining.
The first shows a EU style terminal block that uses a commercial device that is equivalent to daisy chaining.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=109317
In the below picture, on the lower left you can see a daisy chain example using the red and black wires. This guy used only four terminals one one side of the terminal block. You can see two pairs of wires one the opposite side.
http://necorridor.millarwebdesign.com/layout/images/image007.gif
You can use blue crimp spade lugs with the #14 wire. Go to a hardware store and look for blue spade lugs. Get a wire stripper and crimp tool.
Realize, “daisy chain” is not a total electrical term. Do a Google search for daisy chain. I found the links using a Google search.
Rich
I have a terminal strip that my DCC unit is plugged in to. The two wires in the picture below have come from that terminal strip around to this bench. The wires leave this terminal strip and go like fingers down the bench for eighteen feet. Each track has its own Buss wire. In the second picture the bench on the right has the same setup. Two wires going from the DCC units terminal strip to a terminal strip under that bench. Lots of feeders for lots of power. I need to update my photos as there is now more track on both benches and they are now chocolate brown instead of pink.
Brent
Notice in the previous message, he uses solid bare wire for daisy chaining. The voltage drop would be minimal as I have done the same thing at times.
Definitely the cheapest way.
Rich
Thank you very much for the additionnal informations the’re exactly what I was looking for, now I get the picture !!!
