I purchased a TPC 300 today to run convention train on my layout and have noticed it has a 15 amp breaker. Does this offer extra protection for my trains or is it only protecting the TPC? I am still installing TVS's on all my outputs and in my locomotives once they arrive so I will have extra protection there. Just was curious.
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If you are powering the TPC 300 with a 180W brick, the 15 amp breaker on the TPC should never open. Being a thermal breaker, it should be much slower than the electronic cutoff in the brick. Now if the brick's relay contacts weld.....
The breaker might operate if you have two parallel bricks, but that is also known as an "arc welder"!
The TPC300 can be run with 2 135 bricks. The TPC400 can run 2 180 bricks.
Thanks guys. I am running it on one side of a MRC 270watt transformer. Should I place the TVS's at the output of the transformer or the output of the TPC?
Put the TVS at the track side of the connection, that's where the stuff you're trying to protect is. 
Thanks guys. I am running it on one side of a MRC 270watt transformer. Should I place the TVS's at the output of the transformer or the output of the TPC?
Put them on both outputs of the transformer and the inputs and outputs of the TPC's as well as all accessory devices like ASC's.
When the production went offshore after Lionel purchased IC Controls the internal electronic components were not the same and were subject to failure in the event of a voltage spike.
US made production held up much better but it would still be recommended to install the TVS's to those products as a precaution.
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