110v Electric Circuits

 I’m slowly, VERY slowly working on the train room prep. Right now I’m immersed in electric wiring. Something we ALL talk about is running every 110v circuit through a series of switches so that when you leave the train room you can simply flip a switch and shut off the power. The idea is that if you leave a soldering iron plugged in on the layout, when you leave, you turn off the lights and the power is killed to the soldering iron too.

This is currently what I’m doing. Each area of the layout has a 110v utility circuit under it.  I can plug in a soldering iron or saw, do what ever work I need/want to accomplish and I’ll need minimal extension cords. In addition layout room lights and power to the DCC system. 

This is a bit more time consuming than just running a “Home Run” back to the panel and to a circuit breaker. Additionally each outlet, switch, and the wire needs to be rated to 20 amps. The power needs of the layout do not require 20amp circuits, but every outlet needs to be able to accommodate a skillsaw, which has a 17 amp +/- starting power draw. Same with other construction tools. This means 20amp outlets, 12 gauge wire, and switches rated to 20amp.

It’s a conspiracy.

Anyway, that’s where we are now.


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