I'm running bus wires from transformer to terminal block and then to the bus wires around my layout. Do the opposite ends get reattached to the terminal block or just capped off? I've seen both on YouTube. Thanks.
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Either way woks. If you run them around in a circle, and re-attach them to the terminal block, there will less voltage drop.
Unless I'm missing something, if you're running wires from your transformer to a terminal block (like the one pictured), all you need to then do is run paired wires directly from the terminals on the block to the locations on your trackage where you want your power drops to be.
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You're missing something. He wants to run the bus wires in a circle and tie the ends back to the source. That decreases the resistance at any one spot in the loop, resulting is less voltage loss where the drops are located.
True, but why the need for a terminal block - why not just run bus wires from the transformer in a circle with the ends open/capped and use connectors to make the power drops ? There's no significant loss of voltage.
Because by using a terminal block, the job will look neater, and be easier to trouble-shoot. Not all electrical installations are alike. But some people like to design and install wiring in a logical way that just looks good. An old engineer once told me (and he was aware of the bad English) "If it looks good, it'll work good."
Well, you know what they say about old engineers and how to make them go crazy - just fold a road map the wrong way while they're watching.
I like it.