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Basic Explanation of DCCConvention model railway control, applies a dc voltage of between 0 and 12 volts to the track. A locomotive on the track picks up this voltage and passes it to a motor. The speed that the locomotive travels at being proportional to the voltage. Thus at 0 volts the engine is stood and at 12 volts the speed is at the maximum. The voltage is adjusted by a controller more typically a rotating dial. The engine's direction of travel depends upon the polarity (either positive or negative) of the voltage applied to the track. A controller will have either a reversing switch or the speed dial will have a central off and Clockwise or Anticlockwise (Counter Clock Wise CCW) movement to change both speed and direction. What DCC does is to have a constant ac (alternating current) voltage applied to the track and superimposed onto this a control signal An electronic board is placed inside this locomotive and this controls the speed and direction, based upon information sent to it along the track from a controller. Bernd Lenz, an avid model railway enthusiast from Germany, introduced DCC in 1988. The NMRA (National Model Railroad of Association) worked with Bernd Lenz in creating an open standard that other manufacturers could use. This standard although modified should ensure that DCC is here to stay. |
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You can contact me at martin@martinlee.co.uk
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