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‘Trains at School’ Project
3
Electrics:
The Märklin electrical system operates on 16 Volt alternating current
(AC), and power is supplied by means of a mains transformer equipped
with a thermal overload switch. This switch will automatically
interrupt power to the mains coil, if the low voltage circuit is
overloaded. There will be an audible “click” sound, and the red
control light will extinguish. An overload will occur, if there is a
short circuit, or if there are too many items drawing power and the
consumption exceeds the transformer rating. The cause of the overload
must be determined and rectified immediately. The thermal switch will
automatically reset itself after a short period of time, and the
control light will illuminate once again.
The connections are colour coded as follows:
Red
cable and plugs = Live terminal for track (centre rail)
Brown
cable and plugs = Neutral terminal for track (outside rails) and
accessories
Yellow
cable and plugs = Live terminal for lighting and accessories
Blue
cable and
red
or
green
or
orange
plugs = Neutral terminal for
electromagnetic accessories (connected via control box)
The red cable from the feeder track (attached to the centre rail) must
be connected to the red (B) terminal of the transformer, and the brown
cable (attached to the outside rails and road-bed) must be connected
to either of the two brown (0) terminals of the transformer.
The yellow cable from lights or electro-magnetic accessories (points,
signals, etc) must be connected to the yellow (L) terminal of the
transformer. The blue cables with the red, green or orange plugs must
be connected to a suitable control box, which in turn is connected to
the Neutral (0) terminal of the transformer. In the case of lights,
these may be grounded to the Neutral (0) terminal via the track
(outside rails)
Power should be fed into the track at intervals of approximately 3-5m,
to overcome loss of current due to the resistance in the track.
The locomotives operate on 0-16V, and the direction is altered by
means of an on-board relay switch. This switch is actuated by a short
burst of 24V, supplied when the control knob of the transformer is
turned briefly to the far left (beyond the 0 mark). It is important
that switching be done quickly, as the locomotive must never be
supplied with the switching current for extended periods of time.
Maintaining the locomotive:
The locomotive should be inspected for dirt and damage regularly. Use
a brush to remove dust and fibres from the moving parts. Lubricate
gears and bearings after every 40 hours of operation with a drop of
oil. Be careful to keep oil away from the wheels, collector brushes
of the motor and the reversing unit.
Check the ski pick-up for wear or damage. Make sure it is not crooked
or bent.
