PS One: Power Shield Intelligent Breaker,
PS Rev: Intelligent Reverser/Breaker

"NEW AND ADVANCED"

Documentation PSOne/PSTwo/PSFour in PDF file - 903kB
Documentation PSRev in PDF file - 790kB
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PowerShields Boost Restart for Broadway Ltd and DCC

Tony's began development of the power Shield concept in 1993 in response to the need of the pre DCC Command Control System like Onboard & Dynatrol. The design was modified to work with DCC and has been continually improved to make Power Shield the leader in DCC power protection & regulation. Accordingly, the new Power Shield has two new exclusive features: Overvoltage protection & EZ programming jumpers.

*Power Shield was designed by Larry Maier and is manufactured by NCE Corp. to Tony's specifications. Power Shield is an exclusive Tony's product contrary to the claims of others!

Tony’s Intelligent Breaker (PS) provides over-current and exclusive over voltage protection, which sectionalizes the connected track area and prevents shutting down other parts of your layout when the track is shorted. Not for Direct Current (DC) operation.

Tony's Intelligent Reverser (PS Rev) unit provides auto-reversing for return loops, reversing Y’s and turntables. In addition, it provides the same short circuit protection as PS. Not for Direct Current (DC) operation.

For simplicity, the layout shown has only two mainline track sections, Section 1 and Section 2. Many layouts have more than two mainline (non-reversing) track sections, each of which would be protected with a breaker. These breakers prevent shutdown of the other parts of the layout when a short occurs within one section. Note that between adjacent mainline sections, DCC1 and DCC2 must be kept on the same rail, to prevent shorting the DCC power unit (and tripping the breakers) as the train passes from one section to the next.

The layout shown also has only two reversing sections. A large layout might have more, and reversers can be added as needed. Note that the reverser provides the breaker function (to isolate faults) within its track section, as well as track reversal.

So on this example layout, a fault on any section of the layout would be isolated from all other sections. Track reversal is provided as traffic moves around the two reverse loops. All this is provided from a simple DCC power unit (needs no built-in reverse function).

The Intelligent Breaker and Reverser are solid-state, including power switching, for silent, reliable operation and long life. Both provide on-board LED indication of trip (and indication of track reversal in the case of the reverser), with provision for remote LED indication as well.

If you are skeptical, here is why you should use Power Shield™:

• Enjoyable Uninterrupted Operating: This is the number one, in my opinion. Power Shield™ keeps the layout up and running for those operators who can stay on the track or avoid running against turnouts.
• Locomotive or Electrical Accessory Protection.
• Power Shield™ eliminates the extremely violent voltage and current spikes caused by hard shorts that can melt equipment.
• Track Power On/Off: Power Shield can be used to manually switch track power on or off.
• Fault Isolators: When Power Shield™ trips, you know where the problem is.
• Booster Protection: Although these units have built in protection, the protection circuitry may eventually fail.
  

Why Power Shield’s are the best DCC Circuit Breaker and Reverser ?

• 8 Amp, All Scales,
• Automatic/Manual Reset.
• Works with Reverse Blocks.
• Over Voltage Protection
• Easy Mount Design at District
• On / Off Reverse, Status Lights
• Buy One or More
• EZ Programming Jumpers
• Solid State No Relays

PS One, PS Two, PS Four

• PS One controls One power district. PS Two controls Two power districts and PS Four controls Four power districts
• Automatic re-close of the breaker after 1 second (or manual re-close option)
• LED indication of direction and trip conditions (plus provisions for a remote LED)
• Exclusive over voltage feature protects decoders burn out from DCC booster melt down
• Over current trip time adjustments using jumpers
• All solid state design, including power switching elements, for fast, reliable operation
• Size: PSOne: 3.12" X 4", PSTwo: 3.5" X 4.0", PSFour: 3.5" X 8.0"

PS Rev

• Automatic coordination of reverse and trip functions - it’s both a reverser and a breaker
• Fast, quiet reversing - no blinks or clicks
• Automatic reclose of the breaker after 1 second (or manual re-close option)
• LED indication of direction and trip conditions (plus provisions for a remote LED)
• Exclusive over voltage feature protects decoders burn out from DCC booster melt down
• Over current trip time adjustments using jumpers
• All solid state design, including power switching elements, for fast, reliable operation
• Size: PSRev: 3.12" X 4"

PS Rev, PS One: Installation & Operation Information

PS Rev & PS One come ready to run and will operate on most layouts without utilizing the programmable options described below.

Connection: (Input Max 24 v)

Input

PS Rev, Connect DCC power to DCC1 and DCC2 inputs (see below). Either DCC lead may go to either input.

PS One, Connect DCC power to DCC1 and DCC2 inputs (see below). Input / Output polarity must be the same for all PS circuit breakers.

Output

PS Rev, Connect the RAIL1 and RAIL2 outputs to the isolated track section. Either RAIL output may be connected to either track rail.

PS One, Connect the RAIL1 and RAIL2 outputs to the isolated track section. Input/ Output polarity must be the same for all PS breakers.

PS One, No RAIL1 output is needed for Common Rail applications.

JP1 and JP4 (Trip Current)

Sets the trip current for the (PS One) and (PS Rev) breaker functions. JP1 and JP4 must always use the same jumper configuration for the PS Rev.

See programmable trip current jumper settings in tables above. JP1 not used for PS One

JP2 (Track Power Overdrive)

Terminals 1 and 2 on JP2 control track power. Connect 1-2 to turn OFF track power, while an open circuit from 1-2 turns on track power. Terminals 3 and 4 are auto/manual reset. An open circuit from 3-4 allows the breaker to function automatically turning track power ON after a fault is corrected. Connecting 3-4 will cause the breaker function to require a manual reset. Once the breaker has tripped, track power will not turn ON after the fault is corrected until terminals 3-4 are open circuit again. If the section powered by the Power Shield contains over 15 sound systems or stationary decoders, or if the section has a large number of incandescent lamps (passenger cars, etc.), then the manual reset may be required to allow a clean turn on after a fault is corrected.

JP3 (Response Time)

JP3 sets the time delay between the occurrence of a fault and the initiation of the breaker function. Certain loads such as incandescent lamps, stationary decoders, and sound systems have a high inrush current when turned on. The breaker waits the programmed delay before turning OFF track power. The time delay allows the breaker function to discriminate between fault conditions and high inrush current track loads. Most layouts can use the 10 millisecond setting without problems. Increase the delay if you have trouble turning ON a particular track section. Some boosters have a relatively fast response time. If your booster shuts down before the breaker trips during a short circuit, then use the shortest (10 ms) time delay. See programmable time delay jumper settings in table above.

JP5 (Remote LED)

JP5 is for connecting a remote LED to display the operating status of the Power Shield. Terminal 2 connects to the anode and terminal 1 connects to the cathode (arrow points from 2 to 1). results. The remote LED operates in parallel with the LED on the circuit bd.

Status: ( LED Indicators)

PSRev Initial direction - LED off, Reverse direction- LED flashing, Breaker tripped - LED on. PS ONE Breaker tripped - LED on

Notes

Power Shield's are rated for up to 8 amps operating current. If your layout requires operation above 6 amps continuous current for longer than 10 minutes, then contact Tony’s for the optional heat sink package. Optional items with Digikey part numbers are; Heat Sink, 345-1055-ND, Four Position Term Block, ED1503-ND, Or Two Position , ED1501-ND. Terminal blocks may be used to provide screw in connections for JP (solder- in) jumpers specified above.

We welcome comments or suggestions from readers; please write or call.