Hi all,

Looking for some advice and information, what size and type of cable should I use for connecting my 2 main lines with, each line has a total length of 52m and I'm using K track.

My idea is to run a live and earth around the layout and drop feeder lines from the K track to it every 2 to 2.5m

Each main line will have up to 8 trains running continuously using a CS2 and 60061 switched power pack.

So, back to the cable, single or multi core and 1mm or 2mm????, or what do you suggest.

Thanks for your help.

Ian.

Hi Michel,

Thanks, PM, tomorrow morning.

All the best.

Ian.

When i install the wires on the layout,i use 0,75 mm to hook up with the clamp connection.
I make sure do that in every 2 metres.
On the track i solder on the rail splice with 0,50 mm and connect to the closest clamp connection.
Same with the stud contact.
Just divided up connection every where on the layout.

Hi Ian
I would suggest you get a reel of 1.5mm mains cable, or 2.5mm if you want heavier wire. I suspect this would be the cheapest cable to buy.

If you are going to run them all from one cs2 you will need to have a booster per track. Apparently TAMS boosters can be used for mfx, Nigel may have some info on this. I know he has TAMS boosters, and was interested in how the Hans Pieter Porsche guys were using them with mfx.

There is a big difference between "0.75 mm" and "0.75 mm²". It seems that many users write "mm" where they actually mean "mm²".

0.5 mm² is the minimum to prevent the cable from overheating if you are using the 100 VA power supply.
With 0.75 mm² or 1.5 mm² the voltage drop will be reduced and this can make a difference for large layouts with long wires.
Tip: it is easy to obtain speaker cables with 1.5 mm². They usually come in pairs and one side is marked. They are not red and brown, but you can use the marked side for "red".

0.14 mm² is enough for 2 A (e.g. MS2) to prevent cable overheating, but I would not use such small wires for track connections.

Safety warning: if you are using boosters with 3 A and a train derails bridging two booster circuits then you have a total of 6 A that can do harm if the short circuit is not detected.
If you only have one booster circuit with 5 A, the danger is almost the same.
When using two boosters with 5 A each, then a bridge between two booster circuits can unleash a total of 10 A.

IMHO a single 5 A booster might be easier to handle (even for H0) than a couple of 3 A boosters.


3 A might be enough to run 8 trains at a moderate speed - unless there are many coaches with light bulbs. Prepare the layout with insulations so you can have at least two booster circuits, but connect all booster circuit to the CS2 in the beginning to see how far you can go. The CS2 can show the current load.

Märklin give no specification for the 710x cables in the product database, but maybe this information is provided with the item. The 71060 cable set is specified as 0.75 mm².
Older cables may be thinner than that.

Hi, Ian,

The limiting factor is the number of trains run by a single CS2. Not sure if the maximum is 2 or 4 with your plans, but that shouldn't be a problem for a CS2 with 60 VA power supply.

The track is 52 m long. The distance between the CS2 and the most remote feeder wire will rather be about 15 m or so. 0.75 mm² should do. Using 1.5 mm² (e.g. speaker cable) won't harm.

You can always make the screwdriver test: make a short circuit with a screwdriver anywhere on the layout - and even at the remotest spot this should set the CS2 to STOP immediately.

IMHO that would be on the safe side.
0.75 mm² all the way probably wouldn't make much difference and will most likely also be safe.

I've always thought that copper wire was invented by the Scots.

I think you should look for 1,5 sq mm solid strand wire, the type used in house installations. ( As main bus )

Easy to route and solder. From main bus to tracks, either 0,5 sq mm or 0,75 sq mm.

Per.

Ian,

big wire is better.

Now since you will be running a LOT of wire, the thing to do is go and see what hefty wire is available in large spools so that you get economy of scale. Here ins the USA we can buy 500' rolls for household wiring in various colours. You will want red and brown.

I run the wires around under the track and pull them tight.
Then every 2m or so, (well 180cm really, since 2205 tracks are 90cm each) I drop down a 22 or 24 AWG wire that is soldered onto the rail to the bus wires and connect them with a tap and run pigtail connector.
See http://layout.mixmox.com...ringandpigtailconnectors

Don't skimp on the gauge of the wire. Don't run un-insulated bus wires.