Peco Points - Wires Attached

[Bill]

I have recently acquired some Peco OO9 / H0e mainline points..

They have wires trailing from them  - which the points for OO/H0 did not have...

(the Peco O gauge points and double slip also have these same unsightly wires..)

Now..

They don't seem to do anything useful..

The points work just fine - everything happily rolls over them,

...including a tiny German diesel shunter with very short wheelbase..

But ..

I suppose Peco put them there for a good reason..

Can anyone tell me why they are there?

...

And why I should not just cut them off..?

 

Then what to do with them if I keep them?..

Since they have no insulation, are they there for earthing to something?

.....

I do like to keep things simple and these wires seem like a bridge too far...

[28XX]

The wires are provided to facilitate frog polarity switching by the point motor, which would improve electrical pickup.

 

If you had bought them new the instruction leaflet explains this.

 

If you are happy with the running without this, just cut the wires off, or better still, insulate them and tuck them out of the way in case you, or a future owner decide to use them in the future.

 

Do not connect them or any other part of the track to earth.

[kevinlms]

If you are happy with the running without this, just cut the wires off, or better still, insulate them and tuck them out of the way in case you, or a future owner decide to use them in the future.

 

Agreed. Drill a hole through the baseboard & clip them there neatly. If ever you change your mind, they are available - much less hassle, than reattaching them.

[Memphis32]

On that note I'd add to not move them any more than necessary, as they will fall off...