I have a DC layout with 4 blocks and 2 cabs (MRC TechII 2800). I know there is built in circuit breaking in the MRC unit. But I believe that it is designed to be user-friendly and a bit too tolerant. If there is a short, I want it to pop NOW - not after a thermal delay. During that comfort zone delay, aging damage can take place in the devices accessing the current of the shorted circuit. In my configuration, I will only have 2 trains running at one time and I don't envision multiples. Turnouts and other accessories have their own power supply. Can somebody please advise the correct specs for a circuit breaker that I can put on my control panel to give this added protection?
Two things come to my mind. One is that for you to consider this to be a problem, you must be getting a lot of shorts. If so you ought to address those problems if possible, rather than doing 'damage limitation'. Second, what devices are you concerned about aging? Shorts on our trainsets are usually caused either by wheels shorting at switches, crossovers and wrong set section breaks, or where stuff derails and metal chassis, etc. get across the rails. Both of these are 'metal' shorts, so there is no 'aging' involved, except for a bit of arcing damage which will hardly be affected by faster disconnection. I'm not saying what you are thinking of doing is wrong, but I think you may be in danger of spending time and money for no very good reason. Can you be more specific about your concerns? If you still want to fit faster protection, various companies (like Tony's Trains) make fast, electronic breakers for DCC systems (but these aren't used for the reason you have given). Some of them might be useable on DC too, and would probably do what you want.
