From the gauge to the length, choosing the right wire is key to the operation of a CDU and point motor. Read this quick guide to the best wire for your CDU.
When it comes to model railways, a CDU or Capacitor Discharge Unit makes a big difference to the reliable operation of solenoid-type switch motors. If you’re unsure what a CDU is the sister post to this article, what is a CDU and why do you need one, will help.
But to ensure that your CDU, whether it’s from Gaugemaster or BLOCKsignalling is functioning properly, it’s essential to use the correct wire for the job. Using any old wire that you have laying around isn’t recommended and there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the wire for your model railway CDU:
Recommended wire gauge For CDUs
The gauge of wire refers to its thickness. A thicker wire will be able to handle more current, while a thinner wire will have less resistance. For CDUs, it’s recommended to use a wire gauge of at least 16 AWG (American Wire Gauge) / 18 SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) approx. 1.22mm.
Stranded vs. Solid
There are two types of wire construction: stranded and solid. Stranded wire is made up of multiple small wires twisted together, while solid wire is a single piece of wire. Stranded wire is more flexible and easier to work with, but can also be more expensive. For a CDU, stranded wire is recommended for its flexibility and ease of use.
Length for CDU wiring
The length of the wire will depend on the size of your model railway layout and the distance between the CDU and the track. It’s important to measure carefully and ensure that the wire is long enough to reach the track without any tension or strain. When using a single CDU to power multiple solenoid motors, I put the CDU in the equidistance to all the points and then use daisy-chained terminal blocks or a distribution board to connect to the individual solenoids. (The distribution board takes the CDU output as its input and provides a number of output terminals for the point motors).
In summary, when selecting the wire for your model railway CDU, it’s essential to choose a wire gauge of at least 18 SWG/AWG, stranded construction for flexibility, PVC insulation for durability, and the appropriate length for your layout. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your CDU is functioning properly and that your model railway runs smoothly.
If this has proved useful, you might be interested in my round-up of must-have books for model railway electrics. And finally, if you’re looking for more information on electrics for railways, subscribe to my free newsletter where I regularly cover this topic.
Affiliate notice: If you plan to buy the products on this page or similiar, please use the links here. These will take you to carefully selected businesses, including Hornby, Rapid Online, Amazon, eBay, Scale Model Scenery and Element Games, through which you can buy products mentioned. These links are made under their affiliate schemes which means that although the price to you does not change I receive a small commission on the orders you place which helps me maintain this site and allows me to create more articles like this. Please see my disclaimer for more information. Thank you for your support, Andy.