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I have a loop of track aprox 75 feet total.  I split the loop in half to create an A block and B block, using an MTH Z-4000, 1 handle for each half of the loop. I am wiring for DCS and Legacy. My question is:

 

Can I connect all the commons (outside rails)together? Or do I need to keep the A block and B block commons seperate? Obviously the HOT (center rail) will be seperate to create the 2 different power blocks, but is there a drawback, voltage draw or amp draw by having both sides of the loop commons  hooked together?   

Original Post

By design, your commons will be connected with installation of Legacy.

 

By convention, outside rails would be common throughout the layout.

 

By default, the black posts of the Z-4000 are common to each other, connected internally, so you would be connecting the commons at the transformer anyway.

 

So, you really don't have a choice but to connect commons as you propose.

 

Just be sure that your common busbar or lead/return has the current carrying capability for the maximum total load of the entire layout.

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