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Offline Pfalzbahn  
#1 Posted : 11 July 2020 16:18:00(UTC)
Pfalzbahn

United States   
Joined: 05/10/2019(UTC)
Posts: 76
Location: Pennsylvania,
Hello out there,

for already a number of years I am running my Maerklin HO K-track layout with a CS2 and 4 Boosters. In addition I use transformers to supply analog current for accessories, lighting and so on.

P1000157.jpeg

For all the above mentioned components I am using one common ground, a bare copper wire.

Recently I was told that it is unsafe to have a common ground for analog and digital components. I am curious to know if I am doing something wrong?

Cheers,

Pfalzbahn
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Offline DaleSchultz  
#2 Posted : 11 July 2020 17:15:12(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
I have been running common ground for decades. I see no danger in it.
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
Offline JohnjeanB  
#3 Posted : 11 July 2020 17:17:16(UTC)
JohnjeanB

France   
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC)
Posts: 3,083
Location: Paris, France
Hi Pfalzbahn

Märklin recommendation (in German) related to safety of small to very large layout is here: https://www.maerklin.de/fileadmi.../Sicherheits-Vorgabe.pdf
In your case (you are in situation 2- up to 300 VA power and up to 5 feeding units but very close to case 3)
In this case:
- it is OK to have a common ground
- it is important that all feeding units are with galvanic separation (only one without is allowed). A CS2 60215 and some CS2 60214 are with galvanic separation, none of CS2 60213 are). Boosters must be 60174 or later units (no 60173 without galvanic separation).

What is important I think:
- all power sources are to be connected to a multiple outlet strip bar with a master switch
- to run a feeder (in my case a 2.5 mm²) double conductor feeding all portions of your layout
- to have a M88 or S88 (feedback sensors) connected to this ground (to avoid "ghost' detection)
- prefer when possible switched power supplies (better running of trains with regulated voltage and better efficiency)

By doing all this:
- you fulfil existing safety regulations
- you use your Märklin trains in a safe way (to avoid failures)
- you have reliable sensors operation

I hope this helps
Cheers
Jean
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Offline Pfalzbahn  
#4 Posted : 11 July 2020 22:53:33(UTC)
Pfalzbahn

United States   
Joined: 05/10/2019(UTC)
Posts: 76
Location: Pennsylvania,
Thank you both for your reply!

While the boosters are 60174 the CS2 (60214) was an early (2008) one.

IMG_6953.jpgIMG_6954.jpg

So far I did not encounter any problems.

Cheers,

Pfalzbahn

Offline Bigdaddynz  
#5 Posted : 12 July 2020 00:02:41(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,661
Location: New Zealand
Hi Pfalzbahn, CS2's with hardware versions below v4.34 do not have galvanic isolation, so like mine yours is one that doesn't have it.

If you are not using your CS2's inbuilt booster to power track, then there is no problem. If you are using your CS2 booster, then you cannot have any other boosters that do not have galvanic isolation feeding power to the track.
Offline Pfalzbahn  
#6 Posted : 12 July 2020 00:40:55(UTC)
Pfalzbahn

United States   
Joined: 05/10/2019(UTC)
Posts: 76
Location: Pennsylvania,
Hi Bigdaddynz,

thank you for this information! I don't use the CS2 inbuilt booster, only the 4 external ones. I guess "sometimes a blind chicken finds a corn"!

Cheers,

Pfalzbahn
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Offline Goofy  
#7 Posted : 12 July 2020 11:13:18(UTC)
Goofy


Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 8,993
On my layout i never use analog power ground common with the digital power feeder.
The red and brown wires for the digital are by self.
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
Offline JohnjeanB  
#8 Posted : 12 July 2020 12:41:46(UTC)
JohnjeanB

France   
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC)
Posts: 3,083
Location: Paris, France
Hi
Yes your CS2 has probably no galvanic separation but if all other units do have galvanic separation it is OK. (your can use the internal booster of your CS2 with your boosters 60174

Please note that according to Märklin, above 300 VA or 5 digital sources you need to separate your layout into 300 VA groups.
Each group (of 300 VA) is treated with a common ground but between groups, there must be a separation of the ground (insulation on external tracks as well as the central studs).
Cheers
Jean
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Offline Pfalzbahn  
#9 Posted : 12 July 2020 16:58:28(UTC)
Pfalzbahn

United States   
Joined: 05/10/2019(UTC)
Posts: 76
Location: Pennsylvania,
Hi Jean,

since I am below 5 digital sources and 300 VA I should be set to operate "without stress" down the road.
Again, thank you for this valuable information!

Cheers,

Pfalzbahn
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