WARNING: YOUR EXPENSIVE DCC SYSTEM WILL ALWAYS BE DAMAGED WHEN SUBJECTED TO DC POWER

We receive a lot of questions from people who have DC locomotives they want to run on their DCC layout and how to wire for this scenario without damaging their DCC system.

Make sure both the DC and DCC system are electrically isolated from each other. This can be accomplished safely and reliably with a Double-Pole Double-Throw Center-Off toggle switch [DPDT-C/O]. Refer to the diagram located above.

  • When the toggle is in the center-off position, power is completely off to the layout. The center-off position physically prevents power of either system from accidentally making contact with each other
  • When the toggle is thrown for the DCC Power Cab, only DCC power will be applied to the layout
  • When the toggle is thrown for the DC Power Pack, only DC power will be applied to the layout

Observe in the diagram above the NCE 524266 Auto Switch.

When the NCE Power Cab DCC system is in Program Track Mode [PTM], the NCE Auto Switch device automatically routes DCC power from the Main Track to an electrically isolated Programming Track.

While the Power Cab is in PTM, the Main Track will be unpowered to prevent accidental programming of locomotives on the the Main Track.

When the Power Cab is in normal operation, both the Main Track and the Program Track will be powered. This allows the Power Cab, or another Pro Cab throttle, to program a locomotive on either track using Program On Main [POM].