Search Tips

Tips categories

Latest Tips

What are my options for motorising a turntable on my layout?
Posted in: Tracks
27th February 2023
There are several options for motorising a turntable on a model railway layout, including:Manual operation: The most...
Read more
What model should I choose as a gift for someone?
Posted in: Best practices
14th April 2021
If you are wondering what model you should choose as a gift for someone, it would suggest two things, firstly, you...
Read more
Is Graham Farish track compatible with Peco N gauge track?
Posted in: Model Railway, Tracks
25th August 2020
In line with MOROP's NEM standards, Graham Farish track is completely compatible with Peco's, however, most modellers...
Read more
Why did warships wear dazzle camouflage patterns?
Posted in: Painting
21st July 2022
Dazzle Camouflage patterns were first introduced during the First World war in order to protect warships and merchant...
Read more
What is Route Availability?
Posted in: Model Railway
26th October 2020
The route availability of a real-life locomotive is another way of saying which tracks an engine is permitted to...
Read more

When choosing a DCC decoder, how important is the amp rating?

Decoders are definitely not all the same, they have different numbers of pins, can control different functions, come in different shapes and sizes, and often, have different amp ratings. But how important is the latter?

Well, it is both very important, and not very important all at the same time. Decoders have two ratings, a continuous rating, and a peak rating. A continuous rating is the maximum amount of amps the decoder will safely support for prolonged periods, a peak rating, is the amount of amps it can tolerate in the event of short spikes in power. If either are exceeded in their relevant context, the decoder will likely be permanently damaged.

The above is clearly the reason why amp ratings are very important, having said that, how likely is your locomotive to draw more amps than even the lowest rated decoders can handle?

Well, that depends on the engine itself, the length of your trains, the gradients encountered, and the number of functions used. A layout featuring a humble tank engine shuttling up and down between fiddle yard and country station is unlikely to be greedy with the amps. On the other hand, a display layout with steep gradients, locos with sound, lights, whistles and bells, and long consists to please the spectators, may well have locos that require decoders with more heavy-duty capabilities.

If you have an ammeter, you can always do a quick test to see how many amps your loco is drawing at maximum power, just don't forget to really put it under some strain when you take your measurement. If you do not have an ammeter, you can either play it safe and install a decoder with a higher amp rating, or check on your decoder's manufacturer's website to see if your decoder is suitable for use with your loco.

Posted in: Model Railway

Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.