|
Here are the names of the point rails and
the various terms used to describe them.
All Powered - both exit tracks are powered
Power Switching - only the exit track powered
Solid frog - all rails in the frog area are common electrically
Split frog - separated electrically - not common
DCC Safe - blades and stock rails electrically linked
|
|
 |
|
|
Some points to note in the diagrams -
Stock rail, Closure and hinge are jumpered.
All rails must be common - note rail at frog point.
If frog was split there would be a wheel short on the frog point.
|
The Atlas code 55 "N" scale point is an 'All Powered" type. That is, the track power from the toe connection is present on all exit rails. Most useful in a main line situation.
The frog is a solid metal casting with its own connection. Each through rail is jumpered to the one past the frog.
The blade and closure rails are bonded to the adjacent stock rails. |
 |
| Pro: |
Blade and stock same potential, Mostly used as a main line point, Insulated joiners not needed. |
Con: |
Not best as a loop or yard point, Needs frog powered from a switch or run as an unpowered frog. |
|
Bachmann "N" scale all live with insulated frog. The blade hinge pivots are loose and don't make good electrical contact with the closure rails.
There is a plastic insert for the frog and wing rails and the closures are jumpered to the rails past the frog. It is "All live" construction. |
 |
| Pro: |
DCC safe construction but needs hinge bypass wire. Insulated joiners not needed |
Con: |
Insulated frog can cause power loss to loco's, Poor construction at hinge, |
|
The Peco HO point was an early insulated frog type. The frog wing rails were metal and unconnected to any other rails.
The frog point was a plastic material.
Each closure rail is jumpered to the rail past the frog. Electrical contact to the blade is helped by an over center spring on the throw bar.
The unused blade has no electical contact so the rail past the frog is not powered on one side and protected the turnout from incorrect entry.
|
 |
| Pro: |
Sprung tie bar for good blade contact, Reverse entry protection. |
Con: |
Unpowered frog area may cause power loss. |
|
The Peco Insulfrog point in "N" scale has a plastic frog and wing rails.
Each closure rail is jumpered to the rail past the frog.
The unused blade has no electical contact so the rail past the frog is not powered and protected the turnout from incorrect entry.
An over center spring at the throw bar makes a positive electrical contact between the blade and the stock rail.
|
 |
| Pro: |
Sprung tie bar for good blade contact, Reverse entry protection. |
Con: |
Unpowered frog area may cause power loss. Insulated joiners needed if a loop entry. |
|
The Peco Electro-frog point in "N" scale is all metal with plastic guard rails. The plastic base in the frog area can
lift the wheel rims on older wheel sets and cause contact loss and bouncing.
The unused blade has no electical contact so the rail past the frog is un-powered. Some examples have been seen with the frog
wired to both closure rails (dotted line) so insulated joiners would be needed. |
 |
| Pro: |
Power switching, Sprung tie bar for good blade contact. Use on main line. |
Con: |
Insulated joiners are needed as offset frog point rails can make wheel contact and short. |
|
The Peco Electro-frog point in "N" fine-scale is all metal with plastic guard rails.
All frog rails are wired together so the unselected rails have the frog rail polarity. Normally, insulated joiners are used on them to avoid shorts.
An over center spring at the throw bar makes a positive electrical contact. |
 |
| Pro: |
Power switching, Sprung tie bar for good blade contact |
Con: |
Insulated joiners are needed past frog rails. Not a main line point. |
|
Peco Finescale converted to DCC safe. The Frog rails are isolated by cutting the main rails. A flexible wire is soldered round the
hinge and across to the stock rails, some of the sleeper plastic can be cut away underneath.
The original frog jumpers connect all rails together and the power to them must be supplied by a point actuated switch as normal. |
 |
| Pro: |
All electrical contact points are solid. Blade and stock rails are at common power levels. |
Con: |
Need switched power to the frog rails. |
|
Shinohara "N" scale basic turnout. All frog, closure and blade rails are joined.
Power is supplied through the blade to stock contact, but would be better if supplied by a point actuated switch to the frog.
It has a metal guard rail. All track on the unselected side is at the stock rail potential.
This is the usual setup for hand-made turnouts. |
|
| Pro: |
|
Con: |
Must be isolated from track past the frog, unless going into a yard backshunt. |
|
|