EB1 Circuit Breaker Version 1.1 Setup Notes

The NCE part number for the EB1 is 5240225.

The LED is a “status” light.  If the LED is on, that means the breaker is NOT tripped. LED off means it is tripped and waiting for a manual reset. LED blinking means it is tripped and automatically trying to reset. 

Important notes about setting up the EB1 version 1.1:

1. Ignore the "123"  label on the switch block. Please use the ABC on the printed circuit board to set the EB1 to the correct current rating for your layout.

2. Do not assume the EB1 is 100% correctly set out of the package for your particular situation. In the picture above, the EB1 is set for 1.5 amps with all three switches AWAY from the ABC.

3. If you need the absolute maximum capacity from your Power Cab at all times, you can use the 2.2 amp setting with the caveat that your layout is properly wired with a 12ga. or 14ga. bus wire. Terminal strips are recommended to accommodate transitioning from longer-distance heavy gauge wires to shorter-distance smaller wire gauges to make proper board connections.   http://wiringfordcc.com/

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DCC systems and boosters have built-in over-current sensing for basic self-protection that will continuously / automatically try to reset every half second (500ms) until the unit is damaged. They do not have manual breakers that will trip or fuses that will blow. The default trip rating of an EB1 circuit breaker is 16ms. That is roughly 30 times faster than the standard booster overload trip time! You would add protection because you don’t want the entire railroad to shut down if you have a short. You break it up into smaller pieces. Our systems will only try to protect themselves and not your locos. Use the EB1 to divide up your layout and protect your trains! Think of this like the breaker panel in your house. A short circuit in a decoder is possible, but it is not guaranteed to trip a DCC circuit breaker or shut down a booster. Myth: DCC circuit breakers protect decoders. Fact: DCC circuit breakers protect boosters.

 The goal of the DCC circuit breaker is to protect THE BOOSTER by isolating the short locally within the breaker power district so the booster can remain to power the OTHER power districts to keep the other parts of the layout running.

 A short circuit has to meet specific criteria for the DCC circuit breaker to act.

 a) The short circuit current must be above the trip point of the DCC circuit breaker.

b) The short circuit current must last for some time.

You MUST use some form of Protection!

You can have a short circuit in a decoder, but it is not guaranteed to trip a DCC circuit breaker or shut down a booster.  Myth:  DCC circuit breakers protect decoders. Fact:  DCC circuit breaker protects boosters. The DCC circuit break aims to protect THE BOOSTER by isolating the short locally within the breaker power district so the booster can remain to power the OTHER power districts to keep the other parts of the layout running. A short circuit has to meet specific criteria for the DCC circuit breaker to act. a) The short circuit current must be above the trip point of the DCC circuit breaker. b) The short circuit current must last for some time. Nothing in the design of a given decoder is designed to comply with these requirements when they fail. FYI: The 

 http://wiringfordcc.com/

Use a REAL surge protector, not a power strip, for the AC wall power connecting your DCC systems power supply.

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=NET The