Recommended Wiring Diagram

It is important for good operation that you make the most efficient use of the power and digital signal available on your track. Poor wiring and bad connections offer resistance and can interfere with receipt of the DCS signal and limit the number of engines and cars you can run on your track. Be sure you use proper wire and good connections.

You must also use ScotchBrite, fine-grit sandpaper, or an LGB track cleaning block to clean the blackening off the top of the center rail, no matter which manufacturer's track you use; because there is no blackening method that is conductive, it creates resistance that drains powers and signal.

Best Wiring Principles:

• Use 16-gauge or larger paired wire (such as speaker wire)
• Use a star pattern (home run wiring) to wire directly from the TIU to each lock-on
• Use a terminal block to carry power and signal from one TIU channel to multiple lock-ons
• Common bus wiring is not recommended
• Solder for tight connections (not required)
• Clean the blackening off the top of the center rail
• Power accessories and turnouts via auxiliary, not track, power

DCS Recommended Wiring for Command Operation Only - Small Layout

DCS Recommended Wiring for Command Operation Only - Multiple lock-On Layout

Wire TIU and TMCC as normal, then connect with M.T.H.'s Custom-Made TIU/TMCC Connector Cable (Item No. 50-1007)

Optional Additional Information Shown:

• Terminal Block (50-1014): The screws in each terminal strip of this terminal block are electrically connected to one another, making it easy to wire the TIU's output into the binding posts and then wire out to several lock-ons from different terminal pairs.
• TIU/TMCC Connector Cable (50-1007): This custom-made cable connects TMCC's two-pin connector to the TIU's 9-pin connector.

Transformer Note: although we do not recommend using the DCS System with homemade transformers or those that put out more than 10 amps, virtually any commercial AC hobby power supply will work with DCS. Bear in mind that as you begin to run more and longer trains together, you need to have lots of power on the track. For this reason, we recommend that railroaders with large layouts and long trains use M.T.H.'s Z-4000(r).