I'm going to run wire from my lockon's to the terminal strip to the transformer, what size wire and make should I use.
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General purpose AWG22 hookup wire (available at any hobby shop, electronics store or home improvement store) is usually OK for a typical train set on a loop of track, with a transformer rated at 100W or less. For larger setups (e.g. bigger transformers with multiple powered engines and/or lighted passenger cars), increase the wire size. (AWG 18 is about the biggest that fits in a Lionel CTC lockon.)
I wish to reiterate that the above advice is appropriate for a conventional "under the tree" layout. If you are building a large layout with a command control system, you will want an AWG14 feed from your transformer, distributing it to multiple track connections with #16 drops. The OGR Electrical Forum is the best place for questions of this type. Also, OGR sells a suitable wire from their website for this type of distribution. http://ogaugerr.com/railroad/index.php?cPath=23_41 Good Luck!
For an 'around the tree' loop 18 gauge lamp cord works fine and cuts down the wire clutter. If you're using 'snow' around the tree, cord with white insulation will blend right in.
Feed the wire through the clips from the center towards the outside. That will eliminate any chance of the wire ends touching, creating a short.
Wire size of 18 AWG should be the smallest unless you are just running the wire a couple of inches from a bus to lockon. Even a CW-80 needs good size wire of at least 18 AWG, and that size wire is good for about 8 amps.
To use 12 AWG is basically overkill, unless you have the newest ZW with 720 watt power bricks. A 14 AWG will do for most purposes.
22 AWG has no decent amp carrying ability, unless using a 30 watt transformer, 22 AWG is only good for about 3 to 4 amps.
If you don't beleive me go to the NEC(National Electric Code) table for wire capacity.
Lee F.
I love this topic, we do it about ten times every Christmas.
Most starter sets come with 16 gauge wire to go from the power pack to the lock-on. That said 18 gauge is good if your runs are less the twenty-five feet and your not trying to power a passenger train with five lighted cars and four motors in the engine.
The thing to remember when choosing you wire size is just because a conductor can carry the lode for a few minutes and trip the breaker without getting hot dose not mean it wont start to heat up after a half hour of continuous lode.
Your Transformer can get hot, but your wire should never even get warm!
What you should have is stranded, twisted pair wire. This is for not only good electrical properties, but mechanical flexibility as well. OGR has the perfect wire for this reason. It also has a tough outer jacket that can stand up to the rough world of the display layout.
Have fun, but be safe.
