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User Manual for Power Shield III Intelligent
Breaker
(PowerShield products are designed and manufactured
by Ray Hazen, MicroDesign)
PowerShield products have been replaced by PSX products by DCC Specialties
Tony’s Intelligent Breaker provides over-current
protection, which sectionalizes the connected track area and prevents
shutting down other parts of your layout when the track is shorted.
Note: Not for DC direct current applications.
Features
- Automatic coordination with reversing units:
MRC AD520 & Lenz, LK100
- Automatic re-close of the breaker after 1 second
(Manual if desired)
- LED indication of tripped condition (plus provisions
for a remote LED)
- All solid state design, including power switching
elements, for fast, reliable operation
- State-of-the-art components, on a plated-through
printed circuit board
Connection
- Connect the DCC power to the DCC inputs (see
drawing below). Connect DCC rail A lead to the DCC1 input, DCC
rail B lead to the DCC2 input.
- Connect the TRK outputs to the isolated track
section to be protected (see drawing below). Connect TRK1 output
to rail A in the isolated section, TRK2 output to rail B in the
isolated section.
Indication
Questions?
Customization
To manually control re-closing of the breaker, connect
a normally-closed switch between SENS2 and SENS5. When the switch
is opened, the breaker will re-close.
To remote the LED indicator, connect the remote
LED between the XLEDA and XLEDK outputs (observe A (anode) and K
(cathode) markings), and cut the foil between the two pads (on the
top of the board). Both the on-board and remote LED’s will
now indicate the breaker status.
Power Shield™ Circuit Breakers
All of us who use Command Control Systems are aware
of the annoyance and damage caused by track shorts. At the least,
a track short interrupts operating, at the worst, it can fry expensive
power supplies or related components or hardware. Of course, track
shorts multiply in conjunction with the number of operators.
There have been many solutions proposed: Ballast
Lamps, Relays, Kill Switches and Swearing. None of the above have
been good solutions. The problem is that all good power supplies,
whether conventional DC or Command Control DC or AC have built in
circuit protection that senses a short and shuts down all power
in about 1/4 second. While this in most cases protects the power
supply, it obviously shuts down all activity until our co-operators
get their Loco back on the track, etc. Furthermore, this circuit
protection can go on and off with lights, bells or whistles, while
our buddy is struggling to get his 18 wheel articulated Loco back
on the track. Does it not just drive you nuts?
There is now a simple inexpensive solution.
I have developed the application, optimized and thoroughly
tested a specialized circuit breaker that trips instantaneously,
resets immediately, and has an optional, user added on/off function.
Simply install this breaker in either power bus lead or track feeder
group to provide protection. For the ultimate protection and convenient
operating, I suggest one Power Shield™ minimum and then one
other for each regular operator, two for small layouts.
Here is the schematic for the wiring
If you are skeptical, here are the reasons you
should use Power Shield™
Booster Protection: Even though these units have
built in protection, the protection circuitry after numerous shorts
will eventually fail.
Locomotive or Electrical Accessory Protection:
Power Shield™ eliminates the extremely violent voltage and
current spikes caused by hard shorts which can melt wheels and
accessories.
Fault Isolators: When Power Shield™ trips,
you know where the problem is.
Track Power On/Off: Toggle switch feature.
Reverse Loop Protection: If an operator fails to
choose the correct polarity for a reverse loop or track polarity
change, Power Shield™ will tell him/her.
Enjoyable Uninterrupted Operating: This is the
number one, in my opinion. Power Shield™ keeps the layout
up and running for those operators who can stay on the track or
avoid running against turnouts.
Why Power Shield PS III is the best DCC circuit
breaker?
- 5+ Amp, all scales.
- Automatic/manual reset.
- Compatible with reverse blocks.
- On / off status light.
- Easy mount design.
- Buy what you need, one or more
We
welcome comments or suggestions from readers; please write
or call.
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