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Electrical Supply To Layouts
Mike has an important asfety question for readers:
“I have seen some warnings that you can recieve a fatal shock off some componets of a model train layout. I thought we are dealing with relatively low volts(12VAC or DC in HO scale) and low amps(1-3 amps). I understand one needs to be always careful with electricity where is the danger lurking?”
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2 Responses to Electrical Supply To Layouts
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Hi Mike, Electric is electric. Low voltage may just give you a tingle but under the right or should I say the wrong conditions it is still dangerous, ex: around water, if you have a pace maker? there have been cases again with low voltage can change the rythem of your heart beat, with the power after the transformer (12 Vs to 22Vs)out put w/ approx 4 amps probably unlikely, I have laid my wet swetty fore arm across the 2 rails and have gotten tiny bites but nothing to write home about, but between the wall outlet and the transformer (electric going into the transformer) it is still normal house current usually 120 volts, and that is what most people don’t realize that 120 v is what kills most people. So if your wire from the wall to the transformer is not frayed and always in good condition you should have no problems. Check it once in a while especially if there are little ones around. By the way the transformer after many years of use could short out internally and you could get a shock or it could start a fire (thats extreme) but if cared for and not left on when not in use you can have many years of service from your transformer (power pack). Just have fun. Tony P
As long as there your transformers and their supply leads are in good condition there should be no problem. And as long as the RF suppression built into locos etc. is in place there should be very little RF.
Where you could get a minor shock is if you use the Relco or Gaugemaster electronic track cleaners. These produce a high frequency voltage across the rails which has enough power to vaporise grease on the rails if it blocks the current to the loco. If there is no loco present on the track then this voltage will be across the rails. The shock is more a surprise that painful.
Chris.
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