Extension Cord for Layout Power?

@0-Gauge CJ posted:

Recently I started looking at things again, and have run into a problem: the lone outlet I wanted to use for the layout is unpowered.

Any chance it's on a switch across the room? Lots of outlets are switched. I even ran across one in a friend's house that was switched from another room!

Steve,

Point well taken. I apologize  for being so glib. 

Earl

@Conductor Earl posted:

Point well taken. I apologize  for being so glib.

Oh, no problem, Earl, nor is any apology necessary. Although I quoted your post, you were far from alone in pointing out the possible overkill of responses, so I was just making sure the value of all good-faith responses (and questions) were honored for the value they bring to the forum.

@Mallard4468 posted:

To mitigate the trip hazard, use a cord cover.  Search for "floor cord cover".  My cover is secured to the concrete floor with duct tape.  Double-sided tape can also be used.

I like & appreciate the information on this thread.  Thank you to all posters questions & responses.

I especially like the definition of “floor cord cover”.  I knew that these exist but did not know the proper term for searching to find them.

CB&Q Bill

One item I've not seen mentioned is command control, especially TMCC/Legacy. I know the OP made no mention of this, but let's think about it anyway. TMCC/Legacy requires a a good ground for the second half of the antenna, with the layout trackage being the first half, as it were. What kind of ground signal will you get from a single extension cord on the floor running under the layout? I'll be the first to admit IDK. I do know that in a "normal" room there are outlets everywhere and ground wires all through the walls. Which is why TMCC/Legacy works well in most homes. But a single extension cord?

Just throwing this out for consideration.

Chris

LVHR

It's not a big deal to use a 3-wire grounded extension cord plugged into a "normal" grounded outlet -- being grounded is the whole point of a three-wire extension cord, as long as it is plugged into a properly grounded 110-volt receptacle.

I echo Chris' (lehighline) concerns about the TMCC signal.  I'm pretty sure my old train club experienced poor signal strength at a train show when they attempted to power the layout through a long (25+ ft) heavy duty extension cord coiled up in a loop.  Switching to a shorter cord magically restored signal strength.  Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not. 

Considering your investment in terms of dollars spent, time, and potential frustration, I think it would be worthwhile to get an electrician to install an outlet  where needed, AND to make sure that everything is properly grounded.  My $.02.

@Ted S posted:

I echo Chris' (lehighline) concerns about the TMCC signal.  I'm pretty sure my old train club experienced poor signal strength at a train show when they attempted to power the layout through a long (25+ ft) heavy duty extension cord coiled up in a loop.  Switching to a shorter cord magically restored signal strength.  Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not.

Considering your investment in terms of dollars spent, time, and potential frustration, I think it would be worthwhile to get an electrician to install an outlet  where needed, AND to make sure that everything is properly grounded.  My $.02.

I know nothing about TMCC, but as a general matter, radio frequency signals have a hard time getting through a choke, or coil impedance (that's why those little cylinders are on power cords -- to prevent RF interference). So, I suspect it was the "coiled in a loop" part of your recounting that was the real problem, rather than length per se. I'd bet if the long cord had been uncoiled and laid out straight the problem would have diminished or gone away, but substituting a shorter cord had the same effect. by eliminating the coiling.

[And FWIW I agree that installing or repairing a receptacle closer to the layout would be worth it in the long term.]

@Ted S posted:

I echo Chris' (lehighline) concerns about the TMCC signal.  I'm pretty sure my old train club experienced poor signal strength at a train show when they attempted to power the layout through a long (25+ ft) heavy duty extension cord coiled up in a loop.  Switching to a shorter cord magically restored signal strength...

Switching to a shorter cord got rid of the loop. That’s what fixed that problem. The TMCC RF signal would have difficulty passing through a loop/coil of wire.

I have a small 5x9 layout powered with a heavy duty extension . The extension cord plugs into a power strip (multiple AC outlets and USB A/C ports) and a postwar ZW, 990 Base2, LCS power plug and soldering iron are plugged into the power strip. No power issue whatsoever.

If you need to tape cables or "drop over cable protector" down, I recommend Gaffer's tape instead of Duct tape.  It doesn't leave sticky residue.  We use tons of it in the event production industry.