To Twist or not to Twist that is the question

Recall the MTH system likes it, keeps wires neat and will be easier to do now!

My whole layout is wired with OGR "twisted pair" 14 awg wire.  The DCS systems seems to like it better.

Does one listen to Chubby Checker while twisting their wires?

Andy,

Based on the average age of our members.. yes. I am by comparison a young whipper snapper and listen to everything from the RAT Pack to Nirvana.

When the time comes to start the wiring we will definitely need something to listen to. 27 modules, 3000+ feet of wire

John

I am also using the OGR twisted pair wire in #14 and #16 and would recommend it. Good stuff. 

My layout is wired with 14 gauge stranded wire that is not in pairs.  Although the hot and common run through the same traces, I made no effort to twist them or keep them together.  My DCS/TMCC layout functions with no problems.

.....

Dennis 

Twisted pair wire running a balanced signal has better noise immunity than shielded wire.  For wiring a layout, I think twisted pair should reduce or eliminate interference problems.  You must have the load balanced which means the current in one wire must be equal and opposite to the current in the other wire.  

I have been and will be busy for a few nights building the module interconnect cables. We are using Anderson Power Pole connectors.

Hi 

our Club we use 12gauge for feeds and 14gauge for drops. We are a module club and you never know how big or small layout will be.

All the wire was not wrap.

 We used wire ties to keep it bundled. It lets us be able to get to wires at shows with out

 hassle If needed. We have had to at times.

   We found that the 12gauge works good with out voltage drops. With 400 To 600 ft of track.

 Hope this helps. 

If, you are concerned about radial-electrical wave form interference, not to worry, as the energy emitted is minimal!

Ralph

We went with 14 / 16. We had a few folks going back and forth between 14/16 and 12/14. At then end we went with 14/16 because there should be be minimal power loss, a cost savings in wire and connectors and weight. The concern was more with connectors and reliability. We invest in good crimpers.

We will have 3-4 loops plus a yard each loop is on its own 'circuit' 

More pictures to come. Will be post progress on our site as well as the layout construction forum.

I twisted my wire (16 gauge) together. maximum run is only about 6 ft from the central power supply. Just chuck them in an electric drill and turn slowly. It made for a neat cabling job (used white and red and black and red) and I have a clear stable DCS signal.

The current layout when assembled will be 26' X 32'. Tomorrow will be the first time we set-up all the layout carcasses at the same time (minus the yard and entry modules)

My layout with over 300 feet of track has STAR wiring for DCS. All of runs are twisted AWG 18, and the DCS signal strength is 10 everywhere. Twisted pairs make the wiring easier to pull through the bench-work, are neat in appearance, are easy to organize and label, and the twisting provides some EMI protection.

If anyone wants an authority on shielding and grounding and EMI, get Henry Ott's book.  It was published back in the '70s.  Henry worked at Bell Labs.  I had a copy many years ago, but it grew legs and disappeared.