TMCC TPC 400 Compared to PowerMaster with PM Bridge?

I’ve used TPC400s since they were introduced. I have 3 - 135W bricks hooked to each one. I like the circuit breaker capabilities and I also like switching from Command to conventional just with the press of a button on my Legacy remote. The kill switch is also a very important feature that works very well with this set up. I only have all three bricks on when I’m hosting a train meeting and I’ve got several trains or passenger cars on the tracks. Hope this helps. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without my TPCs. They’ve adapted throughout the years and are well built.

TPCs have more added features than a powermaster which is limited on TR function and can only use 0-9 whereas the TPC can use TR numbers and use ENG numbers to address it.
Still more features. I would buy the TPC as that is what I use.

If you're purchasing now, go for the Legacy PowerMaster.   FWIW, I personally do NOT recommend more than 10 amps on a single power district.

John, what are your concerns with higher than 10 watts?

Ten amps, not ten watts!  When you get 20-30 amps on the track, a simple derailment can do a lot of welding of wheels, and pickups.  Been there, done that, and burned the T-shirt!

I’ve had 2 TPC 400’s for the last 15 years or so and they are bullet proof. The new Legacy Powermasters are supposed to be too. Either will get the job done.

I have a TPC300 only difference between the 300 and 400 is the circuit breaker.  Also been bullet proof.  I don't run conventional so it's basically a switch to power the Tracks through my PSX-AC to a TIU then to the tracks.  I can kill power to the track in an emergency with either MTH or Lionel remote.

Tom,

Some folks on this forum have had bad experiences in the past when powering their layouts with 20 amps from transformers that did not have proper protection.

In the past, 10 amps have not been enough for me but I did not want to go higher with all the stories of welding your engine to the track.  After reading about how great the PSX was, I bought a couple to try.  I run two PH180s with the PSX set at 15.8 amps and have had no issues during the couple of derailments I had with it with that much power.

Back to your topic.  I agree with John that since you have Legacy, go with the Legacy PowerMaster.  If you want more power, you can get the Legacy 360 PowerMaster.  All of these newer products, to include the ZW-L, have excellent protection.  I still use a PSX in each channel.

Plus, do not forget to add TVSs.