Why circuit protection?
More and more electronics are making their way into our hobby and they don’t like voltage spikes or over amperage. QSI, at one time a supplier of sound/control boards to MTH, was one of the first to report in late 1998 about voltage spikes resulting from train wheels rolling over gaps in the track, through switches and when activating horn / whistle buttons (in conventional operation). QSI even instituted a policy that they wouldn’t warranty defective boards if the user’s layout didn’t have proper protection. In regards to over amperage, we’ve all experienced this as a result of derailments, dead shorts, and too much “stuff” (multiple engines, incandescent illuminate passenger cars and the like) on a circuit. Another negative situation that we’re exposed to is “noise”. All those cool accessories with solenoids and the like add noise to the circuitry and that affects our PC boards, too. It’s highly recommended to take every possible precaution to protect your valuable trains and equipme
