I just purchased (4) switches, powered, Bachmann E-Z track, (2) left hand and (2) right hand. I have one of each hooked up so far. While on the straight through mode, the lh switch works fine, if I switch it to run my train off to the siding, everything on the track stops. It does not do this with the rh switch around the bend. If I let it set there for a couple of seconds, you can hear the circuit protection pop in the controller, let it sit for a couple of minutes and it resets. I’ve swapped out one switch for the other switch that I just bought and it does the same thing. I pulled off the back side, but I don’t know what the heck I’m looking at. I am assuming that when I switch it, its causing a short.
When you say disconnect it from the track, I haven’t powered the switch yet. The track is powered from the connecting track. I have not connected it into any other tracks to create a revese loop, its just a siding, it has one piece of track on the branch.
What is this “frog”?. Why wouldn’t the unit come preset already. Why are my rh switches fine on the other side?
Disconnect the power to the tracks (unplug the power pack). Use a multi-meter to do a continuity check on the rails. Using the straight rail as common, test each of the other rails. Those that register on the meter are electrically connected. I think you may find that one of your opposite rails is shorting out to the common rail. The turnout may be defective.
The frog is the rail in the middle of the turnout that makes an X. That is an automatic short unless some wiring trick is done. I don’t know your turnout, but most switches need a gap when there is power from both sides of the turnout. The continuity check is the next step. If that is a new test for you, let us know and we will help you learn to do it. It is a test that is used a lot as the layout gets more complex.