I am currently laying out my track on my first layout. I am using atlas code 83 track along with atlas snap switches. I am using dcc mrc advance prodigy for my power. Do I need to need to make any adjustments with insulating jointers at certain points when using dcc and these switches? My layout is basically a oval with a branchline to the inside. (madison Cenrtral) Or can i just use normal jointers for it all? I have read about insulated frogs etc but dony clearly understand…
Atlas snap switches are fully DCC compatable. You don’t need any insulators, unless you are doing something which creates a “reversing loop” situation, where a train would come back on the same track facing the other direction. For example, if you have an oval, no problem. An oval with one turnout into a siding, no problem. An oval with a left turnout on one side and a right turnout on the other, so the train can choose either of two paths but will end up going the same direction either way, no problem.
Now, though, take a left turnout on one side of the oval, and another left turnout on the other side, and connect them with a straight track diagonally across the center. Whenever a train enters the crossover, it will come out going the opposite direction, so you have a reversing loop. Here, you need to insulate the ends of the crossover, and provide either a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch to manually reverse the track polarity, or add a DCC Reverser module.
Busteed: at which point don’t you understand?
The frog is the place where the 2 rails cross in a switch. They can be made out of rails (brass, nickel silver, etc) or plastic. The plastic ones are called insulated.
The standard design of metal frogs has them joined to the points (the sharp bits that move) so that they are one unit electrically. If you feed electricity from the frog end, and the switch is set for the other route, you get a short circuit because the rail is joining both sides. (Situation: circle of track with one switch.) Needs an insulated joiner just beyond the frog.
In a plastic frog, the rails from both sides are separated by plastic and the short doesn’t happen.