There are a lot of different things used in the wiring!
| Dropper wire | 22SWG tinned copper wire. Obtained from Rapid Electronics part number 05-0315 per reel (140m) |
| Bus Wire |
I've used quite thin bus wires, because of the zoning architecture. Because the power is zoned into several zones, the maximum fault current on any zone is around 3A. There should only be one train per section, so its feeds typically carry the operating power for one loco, approx 0.2A. They do need to be rated for the full fault current (3A). I've settled on 16/0.2mm stranded wire for the section feeds from Rapid Electronics. We've used 32/0.2mm stranded wire for the zone returns, because these could be powering several trains: Red part number 01-0935 |
| Crimp Tool | This came from TLC (an electrical wholesaler with branches around the country) but they are widely available. Don't skimp on this: a ratchet crimp tool is low cost and makes reliable joints each time. |
| Bullet connectors | These are male/female pairs, used on all the track dropper wires. A male connector (Rapid 33-1069) goes on the dropper wire, and the female (Rapid 33-1073) on the feeder wire. The red (10A rating ones) are fine. |
| Butt splice crimp connectors | Many suppliers; shop around but don't but packs of 10: they are far cheaper in quantities of 100, and you'll use them eventually. TLC, Rapid Electronics (33-0680) and Farnell all supply these. |
| Sleeving | This is used on the base dropper wires and was (surprisingly) hard to find. Farnell red part number 105-7926, black part number 105-7925 |
| Junction strip | These are like a "chocolate block" connector, but jointed in the middle with male and female push together parts. I've used these widely, to make the wiring modular and testable. For example, whole sections can be lifted off without cutting wiring. Rapid part number 21-2496 (mated pair); Farnell 787-5061 (female) and 787-5070 (male). |
| Creeper |
If you have a good back and neck, great. If not - these are invaluable for all that work upside down underneath the railway! My creeper - despite being one of the lower cost models - has an adjustable backrest. This means I can sit reclined under the railway, as well as lie down. This has been invaluable during wiring and point motor installation work.
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