Zero stretching

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DCC Terms DCC Components Booster, Command station, Mobile Decoder, Power supply, Stationary Decoder General Address Range, Bus, Cab, DCC, Functions, MU consisting, Power Bus, Programming Track, SUSI, Speed steps, Turnout Motors, Voltage drop, Zero stretching Mobile decoder Back EMF, Decoder Connection Method, Decoder-Assisted Consisting, Dither, High-Frequency Decoders, Kick Start, Loco Momentum, Speed Table, Supersonic Drive, Transponding Non-DCC Continuous Load, Heat Shrink Tubing, RJ12 Connector, Rule 17, Series Resistor, Stall Current Primary DCC Components Boosters · Command Station · Decoder · Power Supply · Throttles/Cabs

Short Definition

Method of running DC powered locomotice on DCC powered rails.

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 zero stretching.

[edit] Zero Stretching

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.

Caution: Because the power is actually closer to AC, many DC motors heat up much more quickly than they ordinarily would on an analog segment, and some motor types can be seriously damaged with only a brief encounter with DCC track.

It's been suggested that "coreless" motors be used on only a DC powered track.

[edit] Technical Aspect