I just purchased 4 new Peco N scale insulated frog turnouts and to my surprize I found that the frog rails were not insulated from each other. The frog has both point rails connected. I checked the turnouts with an ohm meter when I removed them from the package. This means there is a short if the two frog rails are not insulated. I used the Peco insulated rail jointers on the frog rail and it works as an electrofrog turnout receiving power from the point rails through the frog. This means the rails into the turnout frog and after the turnout frog must be powered. I did this on a DCC layout and it works fine. Is this the standard for the Peco insulated frog turnouts?
They should know better. To be DCC friendly the frogs should be isolated. The reasoning here is a train might bridge the gap between the stock rail and the points.
It sounds to me like there was a mixup at the Peco factory and some electrofrog turnouts ended up in the wrong packaging.
You sir are right there was a mistake. On second review the supplier sent the wrong turnouts. The order I pulled up on their site said SL turnouts which are insulated frogs. the packing list / invoice shows SLE which are electrofrogs. Sorry for the confusion. I did not check close enough. Will call them tomorow about their mistake.
Now that you inadvertently have Electrofrogs instead of Insulfrogs, you may want to keep them and add some gaps to isolate the frog. That way, you will have live frogs an advantage over the Insulfrog turnouts with their dead frogs which are plastic and cannot be powered.
Rich
Rich is right. Why would you want insulfrogs when you can have live frogs and gap the frogs and have power through the frog. My whole layout is Electrofrog and powered through the frog. Doug
I did keep the electrofrog turnouts and have already installed one and it is working fine. The rails on both ends of the turnout are powered so as you said I isolated the 2 frog rails. insulfrog turnouts are not a problem with 4 to 6 large 6 axle locomotives in consists pulling 40 car or more trains but I may use electrofrog for replacements now. Thanks.
The supplier was willing the exchange the turnouts if I wished, at no additional cost to me. They did offer a percent off on my next order. I will be staying with them.
If you plan to run DCC sound you are far better off with electro frogs
See this Video