Very basic questions about using DCC.

[JimmyB]

Is it always essential to have insulated rail joiners each end of a reverse loop, please?

SW

The reverse loop must have an isolated section therefore two insulators at each end one for each rail.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Sarah, the concept is that you must be free to "reverse" the connections to that part of the track freely, both rails. If either rail is not completely isolated, reversing it's connections could cause a short.

I'm curious why this question came up after the protracted Q&A on this?

Greg

 

[Sarah Winfield]

Thank you Greg.

For the second part of the question and the chance to "double your money", I have one track off my main line which then, through a point, becomes 2 tracks which then rejoin the mainline.

Where do I put my isolating joiners where the track comes off via one track, please? I can either put them before the point or after the point and isolate both tracks of my reverse loop. (Hope that makes sense?)

Thanks,

Sarah Winfield

 

[Sarah Winfield]

It actually did though perhaps my description was in-accurate.

I hope my previous post clarifies the situation.

Sarah Winfield

 

[FrenchChuffed]

Unless the point and additional tracks/ sidings are part of the reverse loop isolated section (not really advised) you would only need to isolate it if you want to switch off all power to any engine stored on the sidings.

 

[Zerogee]

YES !!!!

The reverse loop must be completely isolated....

Echoing Gregs' very emphatic YES!
The loop (or at the very least, a long enough section of it to take the complete length of the longest train you will ever run on the line) MUST be totally isolated from the rest of the track (isolators in both rails, at both ends of the section). The reason is that the isolated section must be free to have its track polarity reversed without in any way affecting the polarity of the rest of the layout.

Jon

Edit: sorry, was typing and posting this before reading all the subsequent replies, so apologies for re-stating the same as other posts - however this is a very important point and thus cannot be stated too many times!