Re: Surge Protector for DCC Command Station/Booster
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Hello again Morgan!
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I'm happy to share with you!
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I don't know why other DCC manufacturers don't indicate this very relevant information!? The cost? The fear of manufacturers that potential customers will think that their products are at risk, unreliable?!
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Yet it¡¯s just common sense!
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Is it necessary to wear a seat belt to use your car? No ! BUT, it is your life that is at stake...
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It¡¯s the same thing with the Surge Protector and a DCC system. It doesn't matter the brand.
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The capacity of Surge Protectors is directly linked to the devices to be protected. Joule is the unit of measurement to determine the correct format. According to the EATON website, there are three main groups. Less than 1000 Joules, between 1000 and 2000 Joules, and more than 3000 Joules. These groups depend on the size of the equipment to be protected. It is not recommended to purchase a Surge of less than 660 Joules.
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To protect a PC, you must provide at least 1000 Joules. More is better...But how much ? I don't know. The price?! Too much is like not enough...
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For DCC, I'm too new to help you choose the right format. Given that these devices do not consume very much energy, I purchased a Tripp Lite Surge Protector (powerbar) of 1340 Joules, model TLM626. Because I use it to repair and maintain locomotives, and to program and install ESU decoders. These products are sensitive to Transient Voltages.
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Did you know that simply running a locomotive generates Voltage peaks? Just dropping a locomotive on the network generates Voltage peaks. A reverse loop also generates tension peaks. In short, the causes of Transient Voltage are multiple.
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Eric
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littlered