Question about Atlas O Switches

There is a jumper wire hidden under the switch that powers these rails but the wire gauge is to small and the method of fastening it leaves a lot to be desired. I install my own drops on all sides of the switch to eliminate any problems down the road. This is the problem that shows up "down the road".

Ron

Ron described the problem exactly.  Bottom line... You can't rely on those small wire connections in Atlas switches.  It's a great track system, but you've got to take precautions up front if you want to avoid problems down the road.

David

Yep, I read a lot on this forum years ago before I decided what track to use and the problems associated with it. I bought most of my switches used and added the extra drops and they have been trouble free since.

Ron

Skip . . . .  Ya gotta go to the source.

Scrapiron.

Each leg of an Atlas switch must be hard wired.

If there is a gap, power must be wired in on EACH side of the gap.

All jumpers must be 16 gauge or larger and you must use di-electric grease.

Never rely on the joiners. They can fail.

I have 35 Atlas O switches and all are wired that way. All work.

Scrappy

I don't think di-electric grease is what you want to use if you are trying to improve the connection.

An electrical conductive grease like No-Ox-Id is what you want to prevent oxidation and connection break-down.

Scrappy, Rob is right I think you mean electrically conductive grease. Dielectric grease is used to water proof multi-wire connections because the grease won't short out the different pins.

Ron

Interesting. 

I was told long ago to use it on all my connections.

I have never had a failure.

I have lots of track.

Scrappy