Model Railway Forum

Hi All,

I'm probably going to get roasted over this but I'm new to DCC and am just following what I have read.

Why is it required that insulated fishplates are to be placed on frog ends when going over to DCC. I'm using insulfrog points so are these insulated fishplates really necessary.

Best Rgds,
Dave R
Australia

Not necessary with insulfrog points. Only required with live frog (electrofrog) points.

Whether DCC or DC the same rule applies.

Hi
As Rog (RJ) says, they are not needed on Insulated frog points. However, you will need to arrange some form of by passing the self-isolating feature of Insulated frog points towards the unset route. The idea being all tracks are live regardless of point position. This feeding is usually carried out by adding dropper feed wires to the rails after the point, but some users in OO will opt for the Hornby Digital Point Clips R8232. While these work they are IMO a short-term fix and its better to have soldered droppers feeding the rails.

Hi Brian, Roj,

Thanks for you input greatly appreciated. As for dropper wires, yes I do include these on all sections of track, not relying on fishplates to make good, long lasting electical connections.

Best Rgds,
Dave R
Australia