Programming Lock

DCC Terms

DCC Components	Accessory Decoder, Automatic Phase Inversion, Command station, Computer Interface, Consists, DCC Booster, DCC Ready, Decoder, Digital Packet, How Digital Command Control Works, Multifunction Decoder, Power Supply, Speed Steps, Throttle, XPressNet

General	Address Partitioning, Ammeter, Analog Control of Model Railroads, Bus, Cab, Can Motor, Command Control, Coreless Motors and DCC, DCC, DCC in a Box, DMM, Distributed Power, Frog Juicer, Jump Port, LCC, Layout Command Control, Locomotive, Motor, Multiple Unit Consisting, Original Equipment Manufacturer, Phase, Power Bus, Programming Track, Pulse Width Modulation, Rail Size, Serial User System Interface - SUSI, Slots, Standard Dimensions, Turnout Motors, Turnouts with Digital Command Control, Voltage Drop, Zero Stretching

Mobile decoder	Analog Conversion, Back EMF, Decoder Connection Method, Digitrax Transponding, Ditch Lights, Dither, Energy Storage, FX Lighting, Functions, High-Frequency Decoders, Kick Start, Lenz USP, Lighting Effects, Locomotive Interface, Momentum, Multifunction Decoder Assisted Consisting, NMRA Connector, NMRA DCC Plug for Multifunction Decoders, Power Conversion, Programming Lock, Quartering, Silent Drive, Snood, XOR

Non-DCC	Continuous Load, FRED, Heat Shrink Tubing, Magic Smoke, RJ12/RJ25 Connector, Rule 17, Series Resistor, Stall Current

Primary DCC Components

Boosters · Command Station · Decoder · Power Supply · Throttles/Cabs

Short Definition

A method of locking the decoders to prevent programming.

A technique to lock the decoder to prevent accidental programming or to enable programming two decoders in the same locomotive separately which share the same address. This allows one decoder to be locked, defeating the ability to program it, while allowing the other to be programmed. This feature can also be used to prevent accidental programming of a multifunction decoder.

This feature was used when a multifunction decoder was installed in a locomotive which did not support sound, or if the modeller desired more functions than it supported. An additional decoder, such as a sound or function decoder sharing the same address, could be added and programmed independently.

Today it would be rare to see such an arrangement, as multifunction decoders support a wide range of functions and sound effects.

For more information see the Decoder Programming Lock page.