| Digital Command Control |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT DIGITAL COMMAND CONTROL | |
| digital model train control | |
| rail transport modelling | |
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Digital Command Control ('''DCC''') is a scheme for controlling that receives signals from the track and provides power to the Motor and any lights the model may have. While DCC is only one of several alternative systems for digital model train control, it is often misinterpreted to be a generic term for such systems. There are several competing digital train control systems, most notably the European standard, Selectrix , and the proprietary Märklin -Motorola system, which is used exclusively in the model train products of Märklin company. DCC, however, is the most widespread system. One of the reasons being that it is a widely adopted standard both in North America and in Europe. DCC was originally developed by German company Lenz that decided to allow their system to become an open standard. As a result, DCC was adopted as a standard by the National Model Railroad Association and it is also a NEM standard. In DCC, a es and lights. The key required to operate more than one locomotive on any layout at the same time. DCC makes it easier to run more than one train at a time. DCC uses bipolar DC, which is a form of Alternating Current , to provide power and transmit data, while traditional systems use DC for power. Because the power is bipolar DC, the DCC signal does not follow a Sine Wave . Instead, the control system quickly switches the direction of the DC current, resulting in a Square Wave . The length of time that the current is flowing in each direction provides a method for encoding data. To represent one, the time is short (nominally 58µs for a half cycle). A zero is represented by a longer period (nominally 100µs for a half cycle). steam locomotive.]] In a segment of DCC-powered track, it is possible to power a single analog model locomotive by itself or in addition to DCC-aware engines through a method known as . In this scheme, zero bits on the track can be extended to create a net effect where current appears to the engine to be flowing in one direction or another. However, because the power is actually closer to AC, many DC motors heat up much more quickly than they ordinarily would on DC power, and some motor types (particularily coreless Electric_motor s) can be damaged by a DCC signal. The DCC protocol is the subject of two standard. Several Recommended Practices documents are also made available. DCC MANUFACTURERS
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