lnet_current_source-en
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| + | ====== LocoNet current source ====== | ||
| + | [[english|{{ | ||
| + | [[english|Content]] -> [[hardware-en|Hardware]] -> [[hardware-en# | ||
| + | * [[mgv-overview-en|The GCA modules]] | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^^^^By Peter Giling ^^^^ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | ===== current source ===== | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | To start with, this current source has NOTHING to do with the power that any LocoNet® unit needs to get working.\\ | ||
| + | Communication in LocoNet® and most LocoNet devices is done via one single wire.\\ | ||
| + | This wire is carrying between 10 and 15 Volts, and will be short circuited to ground when communication is taking place.\\ | ||
| + | Some available products feed this 10-15 V via a simple resistor.\\ | ||
| + | But the original way of achieving this, is to feed this 10-15V via a so called current source.\\ | ||
| + | It is basicly doing the same as a simple resistor, but it limits the current in the short circuit situation \\ | ||
| + | to 15 mAmp maximum.\\ | ||
| + | This will avoid that any wire resistance over the used cable will cause communication flaws.\\ | ||
| + | This of course between certain limits.\\ | ||
| + | There is a technical more important reason to do it this way, but there is no need to go that far in explanation.\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | A problem could arise, when -for example- GCA85 or GCA101 or CAN_GCLN are connected to the LocoNet® together with any central unit\\ | ||
| + | like Twincenter, Intellibox and/or any of the available Digitrax units.\\ | ||
| + | All these units contain some way of feeding this 15 mA to the LocoNet communication line.\\ | ||
| + | These currents are considered to add to each other, so the total current will be much higher than needed.\\ | ||
| + | That is why GCA units all provide the option to shut off this current source.\\ | ||
| + | When GCA85 or GCA101 or CAN_GCLN is the only main LNet unit, its current source should always be activated.\\ | ||