Wire type for DCC

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’ve come across a supply of twisted-shielded wire. It’s two-conductor stranded, maybe about 20 gauge, with a third uninsulated shield wire and foil shield arround the two insulated, twisted wires. Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for use with DCC? I haven’t figured out how to terminate the shields yet either.

I am currently building a DC layout, but eventually, I might convert to DCC. I am planning to use isolating track joiners on both rails to create blocks. I’ll wire feeders for each block back to the front of the layout to switches for cab control. If and when I convert to DCC, I’m hoping to turn on all the block switches and use the existing feeders to connect the DCC booster(s) to the track.

Jim

2

It’s not heavy enough for the bus wiring, and probably not really useful for the feeders, but you’ll be able to find something to do with it!

3

agreed. It will be a great source of feeders but its not large enough for your bus. You should use at least 16 guage wire for a DCC bus IMO, personally I use 14.

4

You might use the twsited pair for feeders though.

5

I use 14 gauge sheilded braided wire for everything on the layout.

6

14 gauge for bus and sub, and 22 gauge for feeders. All solid wire, too. I’m wondering if braided/stranded wire might be easier to tin and to get attached to the sides/feet of rails…I expect so.

7

I think stranded might be a bit easier to deal with when soldering to the rail, but not so much that I’d throw anything I already was using out.

8

I’ve used both and actually find solid wire much easier to solder to rail… Easier to solder in general for that matter.

9

I agree on the solid being easier to solder to the rails. I used 18ga solid with great success.