Whither PLuG....?

Zerogee

Zerogee

Clencher's Bogleman
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Recently I've been seeing several references to a DCC interface (?) called "PLuG" (capitalisation deliberate, I think it's a German acronym for something?) - but most of the references are in German publications, I can't find much about it in English.

Can any of Those Who Know on here give me a summary of just what PLuG is, what it does and who is using it?

Jon.

PS: No, I DON'T mean the ugly one from the Bash Street Kids.... ;)
 
Hi Jon,

The new Massoth eMotion XL decoder will be using it! Like you say, it is an interface for a decoder, I believe it also provides a easy to add sound board connection (for which I refer to an eMotion S PLuG module). Take a peek in the new 2014 Massoth Catalogue.

http://www.massoth.com/downloads/printmedien/MASSOTH_2014_web.pdf

You can get pick up a printed version from me @ Stafford.

Mark
 
Interesting - not heard of it before. Seems to be a standard interface for larger scale DCC proposed by an association of manufacturers, with the first products being from Dietz and Massoth.

Looks like a dual in line socket with 3 different sizes of plug, where the "basic" 16 pin connection uses just the middle 16 pins of a possible 50, with larger connectors adding more pins added for sound, more functions and other clever stuff. The basic 16 pin connector supports track and motor feeds, front/rear lights plus 4-5 other functions, SUSI connections and decoder ground and positive pins.

Here's the spec (yes it's in German)

http://www.vhdm.de/attachments/article/49/RCN-123_PluG_v1-1_2013-05-03_a.pdf

One thing that's jumping out at me is it looks like the hardware pins are rated at 3A if I'm reading things correctly. This might preclude PluG's use in some large current-hungry locos?
 
Thanks Mark and Nick - I think that one of the places I'd seen it was in reference to Massoth products, handy to know that Dietz are using it too..... which other manufacturers are considering it, anyone know?

Jon.
 
have a look at this list:

http://vhdm.de/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=category&id=38&Itemid=57

.. doesn't imply that they're all about to lunch PLuG products just yet though!
 
RailCommunity - Association of manufacturers of digital model rail products. Here is the list of members: http://vhdm.de/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=category&id=38&Itemid=57

Peak power is 6A short term and is supposed to be supported by the decoders.
 
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