14 AWG Wire for NCE Power Pro 10 Amp System

[Compbck]

Hi Guys,

 

I recently took delivery of the NCE Power Pro 10 Amp Control System plus an additional 10 Amp Transformer from Digitrains which will control a proposed new 0 gauge layout.

 

I am now in the process of ordering the necessary wires to support the main feeder Bus and power drops.  For the Feeder Bus NCE recommend #12AWG or #14AWG and anything between #18AWG and #22AWG for the power drops.

 

I have acquired #20AWG wires for the power drops, but hunting out #12 or #14AWG wiring is becoming a bit of a issue. It's easy enough to acquire from the USA or China, but despite numerous Google searches have yet to locate a UK supplier.

 

I have two new Lionheart locos and a Heljan Class 35 in the wings awaiting their first road test, so I would be grateful if any member can point me in the direction of a supplier so that I can at least get a test track up and running.

 

Thanks in anticipation,

 

Brian

[Oldddudders]

Wire is wire. Diameter or gauge is what matters. This page offers metric equivalents which may be easier to obtain. 

 

http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_awg_to_metric

[Compbck]

Thanks for that Olddudders - I have a number of conversion tables, just need a list of suppliers who stock 0 gauge compatible grades.

[66C]

Hi Brian

 

Have you considered going to your local DIY store and purchasing mains cable with a 10 amp rating?

 

Regards.

[Compbck]

Yes 66C, I have, but after spending several thousand pounds on locomotives and control equipment I think I would rather consult with a specialist model railway supplier than chance my luck at B&Qs and get something that's not up to job.

[RFS]

Twin-and-earth wire is widely used for DCC bus wires.  It's a pair of solid copper wires, and 2.5mm is approximately 10 AWG and 1.5mm is 14 AWG.  You just split the outer sheathing off to get your two wires, and the bare copper earth wire is useful for making trees! The advantage of using twin-and-earth as it's readily available from DIY stores and you can buy it in lengths that match your needs, rather than,  usually, in 100m reels.

 

The DCC Concepts web-site explains it all - http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCClayoutwiringwire.htm .  You'll probably get better information from this web-site than from a typical model railway store.

[Crosland]

Yes 66C, I have, but after spending several thousand pounds on locomotives and control equipment I think I would rather consult with a specialist model railway supplier than chance my luck at B&Qs and get something that's not up to job.

 

Trust me, you will get better advice here than from most model shops, especially the well known on-line supplier who is still making ill-informed statements such as "(Voltage rating, AC: 1500V; Current rating: 6A - that's a massive 450A at 20 VAC!)".

 

Main cable is fine, just strip the outer sheath ao there's no chance of confusion (not that mains should be anywhere near the DCC power bus).

 

For a portable layout I would use flex rather than single core as it is more forgiving of movement.

 

Andrew

[Compbck]

Thanks RFS and Andrew, I think you have both just about covered all that I need to to be getting on with.

 

Regards,

 

Brian

[Suzie]

Rapid Electronics do some nice very flexible 2-core and 4-core 2.5mm² wire which might be easier to work with than solid conductor from T&E. It makes very nice interconnect cables when used with Speakon connectors.