Mar 05 2009
Planning Your Outdoor Garden Railroad - Part 12 - Electricity
Planning Your Outdoor Garden Railroad - Part 12 - Electricity
Most model railroads need electricity to power trains, run signals, general lighting, and sound systems. Electricity in the outdoors takes some extra effort to get right.
Ground fault interrupt circuit breakers cause the flow of electricity to be stopped. These special GFI circuits are helpful in damp areas. It stops the flow of electricity from the source and “ground”. Usually, the electricity flows through a person on its way to the ground. This is especially true when the person is standing on damp or wet soil or is making contact with a wet surface and the source of the electricty. That’s dangerous and can cause injury or kill. You need to plan for proper grounding of all outdoor circuits. A ground fault Interrupt circuit breaker is best. These are not usually standard in homes outside of kitchens, or bathrooms. You will need to have licensed electrician make changes to your circuit breaker box and add special outlets outdoors.
All electric wiring should be shielded in outdoor situations. Waterproof electrical conduit (usually metal tubing) can protect wiring from gnawing teeth of outdoor creatures the elements.
Low voltage DC train signals, model building lighting, and power to switches should be wired with waterproof stranded wiring. Multi-stranded wiring holds up better than solid single strand wiring. Select wire that can be used in direct contact with water, soil, etc. Indoor, telephone, speaker, or computer wiring may not be good enough. Your wiring should have anti-Ultra Violet (UV) coating. Exposure to sunlight can cause some coatings for wiring can start to break down in a few months if exposed to UV sunlight rays.
All controls, controlling switches, and speed controllers should be in outdoor enclosures with proper water-resistant gaskets, covers, and switching mechanisms designed for the outdoors. If you have a power going to your speed controllers or switches make sure that you have proper grounding, fuses, and circuit breakers. put down an electrically non-conductive pad with plenty of holes for drainage, where you would normally stand. (Try to break the flow of electricity to ground using by standing on the non-conductive mat.)
Do not make connections to power sources, while building your railroad, unless you have properly terminated and protected the circuits and yourself FIRST. Use insulated tools. Wrap tool handles with high quality electrical tape and wear electrically non-conductive gloves while working. Before working on a circuit, check wires and boxes with a continuity probe that either makes a sound or lights up. Electricity can show up in surprising places when circuits are being installed and are only partially complete. Check first, check every time.
Use high quality materials to handle electricity outdoors. This is NOT the place to save a few dollars.
If you are confused, hire an electrician. It’s well worth it.
Be safe and have fun!
Trainguy
