PM74 Power Manager (PM74)

Power:

Digitrax: PM74 Power Manager (PM74)

Summary: PM74 Power Manager with Occupancy and Transponding detection for 4 sub-districts, replacing the PM42 Quad Power Manager.

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General information
DCC Category Power
Manufacturer	Digitrax
MSRP	109 USD110.96 EUR <br />97.09 GBP <br />164.73 AUD <br />147.05 CAD <br />
Compare Prices	Latest Prices
Manufacturer Part Number	PM74
Common Name	PM74 Power Manager
UPC Number	652667030120
Release information
Product URL	External Product Link
Product Manual URL	External Product Link
Year Released	2022
Has computer interface
Firmware Upgrade Possible	Yes
Predecessor	PM42
Successor
Misc Details
Height
Length
Width

History

The previous module, PM42, was an open-air design with no cover. For good and bad, it also required a 44-pin connector to be used as the PM42 didn't allow direct connection of wires. While requiring this additional connector, it allowed for easy replacement and/or programming in a different location.

Purpose

The Digitrax PM74 is used to segment the power from a DCC booster into four separate power districts. This is useful if you have a large single booster and want to limit the short-circuit current in case of a derailment. Dividing your layout into power districts prevents the entire layout from stopping when a train causes a short in one of the districts.

The PM74 can also be used as an auto reversing unit for up to four sub-districts. Each of the four segments of the PM74 can be configured to work as either short-circuit protectors or auto-reverser, but not both at the same time. So you might for example configure a PM74 to provide three sub-districts, one of which has auto-reversing. This configuration will use all four segments of the PM74 because three are needed for protection and one for auto-reversing.

Keep in mind, a PM42 will not increase the power available for running trains over what your booster provides. It can only sub-divide the available power into smaller sub-districts.

The AutoReverse feature should not be used with a circuit breaker on the same PM74.

A layout divided into four power districts.

Analogy

Think of your booster as the main breaker in a home's breaker box (a.k.a. fuse box, or its correct term, the load center). A PM42 is like 4 individual circuit breakers - the 15 to 20 amp ones that protect everything downstream from the main breaker.

Should an overload happen on one circuit, the circuit breaker will disconnect that circuit, without interrupting power to other circuits. Or, instead of shutting down the entire layout when a short happens (and it will), only the power district with the short is shut down.

If you are using enough power to trip the main breaker constantly, then adding individual circuits won't solve anything. Likewise, a PM42 is always a good plan. Just don't expect it to take the place of additional power from another booster.

PM74 Features

Four power management districts
Each district configurable for Auto Reverse or [Short Circuit|short circuit]] protection
Each district support occupancy and Transponding detection capable
LocoNet Compatible
Plug-in connections
Easy setup using Option Switches or CV programming
Power by DCC from the track or an external power supply
Additional configuration possible using a DT602 throttle
Allows Mainline CV Read/Write programming of compatible decoders.
Remote LED status support.
Series7 style advanced installation support using DT602.

What's New in PM74 vs PM42

The PM74 is fully encased in plastic and allows for direct wiring. While the PM42 required using a female connector to which wires were connected to. The PM74 uses a removable terminal connector making setup slightly easier.
Can operate in 'lamp mode' and can operate up to 8 lamps installed throughout the layout.
Has a 10-pin connector that allows for multiple uses:
- Forward momentary open-switch inputs
- Allows for DSXCP1 turnout switch inputs.
- Supports Digitrax's new DSXC4 expansion board.

Installation

Read the provided installation instructions thoroughly first, and diagram what you want to do. The PM74 can be used to provide up to 4 circuit breakers, or one breaker can be configured as an |auto reverser. Or all four can be arranged as an auto reverser. As a rule, do not use an auto reverser and a breaker on the same card, as an endless loop can occur when the reverser is too slow to react and the breaker trips.

For proper operation a heavy gauge wire must be connected between the Ground connections on the booster and PM74.

LocoNet

The PM74 is a LocoNet capable device. The PM74 can transmit information such as shorts, when they are cleared, and when the autoreverser operates. Additionally, the LocoNet can interact with the 10-pin header.

In this video, we will connect the wiring from a Digitrax PM74 to a PM42 and the track. We will use the on-board LEDs to monitor what the Digitrax PM74 is detecting/reporting and see the messages sent on LocoNet to JMRI.

PM74 FAQs

PM74 Option Switches

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PM74 Power Manager (PM74)

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