Simplest solution for running modern electronics with a post-war transformer

Susan Deats posted:

MichRR714 posted:

No question fast acting circuit protection in concert with TVS diodes is the complete answer.

Definitely.  The PTCs and TVS diodes can be used together for maximum protection from faults and tansient voltages.

What is a PTC? I have not heard of one before.

The TVS units protect from voltage spikes commonly associated with derailments as the voltage can spike momentarily with a derailment.

Lee Fritz

Could I ask a favor of one of the gurus here. I want to get some TVS diodes and was looking on the Mouser web site. There are dozens of pages and I have no clue what would be appropriate for me.

I have a PW ZW and run mostly conventional but do have a few locos with modern electronics. If someone could mention a part #, etc. it would be much appreciated.

Thanks. 

I use 1.5KE36CA, here it is at DIGI-KEY and MOUSER.

Pete

Texas Pete posted:

I use 1.5KE36CA, here it is at DIGI-KEY and MOUSER.

Pete

Pete, Perfect!  Many thanks.

Also available via Amazon if you have a Prime account https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

"What is a PTC?"

Actually the term is PPTC, for Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient resettable fuse.  They are frequently called PolySwitches, the trade name that creator RayChem gave them. Now you know enough to Google the rest....

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion.  It is very informative.