| | Term Definition |
|---|
| Address Range | The range of addresses available on a DCC system. |
| Ammeter | Device to measure current flow |
| Analog | Control based on magnitude of voltage applied to the track. |
| Analog Conversion | Allows a locomotive with DCC decoder to run on non-DCC powered tracks. |
| Auto Reverse | Automatically corrects mismatches in phase between track sections such as cross overs and reverse loops. |
| Back EMF | Back Electro-motive Force is voltage generated in a motor while in operation. Decoders can monitor this voltage for control purposes. |
| Boosters Send Data and Power to Trains | The Booster is an electronic device that takes instructions from the Command Station, and creates the digital signal supplied to the track. |
| Bus | A specific group of electrical wires that carries a particular group of voltages or signals. |
| CV Readback | Reading back a CV from a decoder. |
| Cab | A DCC term for the controller used to operate a train. It has the throttle, plus other controls needed. |
| Can Motor | A Direct Current motor in the shape of a can. |
| Command Control | A method of controlling multiple trains independent of track voltage |
| Command station | The heart and brains of the Digital Command Control system, as it listens for commands from throttles and other devices, processes them, and sends the resulting digital data to the booster. |
| Computer Interface | A device to connect a computer to a DCC system. |
| Consist Address | The unique address by which a consist can be accessed. See MU consist. |
| Consists | Two or more Diesel locomotives acting as one unit. |
| Continuous Load | The maximum current that a decoder can supply to a particular output for an extended period of time without causing damage to the decoder. |
| Coreless Motor | A type of Direct Current Motor |
| DCC | Digital Command Control |
| DCC Ready | Easy conversion to DCC |
| DCC in a Box | A self contained Digital Command Control system, often used in modular setups. |
| DMM | Digital Multimeter, a multipurpose electrical measuring device. |
| Decoder Connection Method | Decoder connection method |
| Decoder Programming | |
| Decoder-Assisted Consisting | Places the burden of MU consisting on the decoder instead of the command station. |
| Digital packet | The data packet containing the information needed to control a decoder |
| Distributed Power | Another form of Consisting |
| Ditch Lights | Low mounted headlights which illuminate the ditches on the sides of the ROW. |
| Dither | Helps model locomotives run better at very slow speeds. |
| Energy Storage | Decoder accessory to store backup energy |
| FRED | Flashing Rear End Device |
| FX Lighting | Additional functions available from some decoders, such as lighting effects. This is also a Digitrax trademark for additional features |
| Frog Juicer | An electronic device which provides correctly phased DCC power to the frog |
| Functions | Additional features availble on a decoder, such as lighting circuits and effects. They are controlled from the throttle using the function buttons. |
| Heat Shrink Tubing | A polymer tube which will shrink when exposed to heat. |
| High-Frequency Decoders | Decoders with this feature allow slow speed operation without a distracting buzz from the motor. |
| How DCC works | Commands are sent digitally to decoders |
| Jump Port | Method of using analog throttle to control DCC command station |
| Kick Start | Decoder function to help overcome motor and drivetrain stiction when a locomotive starts to move from standstill. |
| LCC | New layout control bus from NMRA/OpenLCB. |
| Layout Command Control | An NMRA Standard for a Layout Control Bus. Doing for accessories what Digital Command Control does for the track. |
| Lighting | Lighting Effects Available |
| Loco Momentum | Decoder feature which attempts to replicate the mass of a real train, that is, real trains just don't stop and start suddenly. |
| Locomotive | Motive power to a train - the train's engine. |
| Locomotive Interface | Method of connecting a mobile decoder to a locomotive |
| MU consisting | Running more than one locomotive (double heading) on a train. |
| Magic Smoke | Belief that electronic devices contain 'magic smoke' that escapes when the device is overloaded (ie burned out). |
| Motor | A mechanical device which converts energy into a force that can do work. |
| Multifunction Decoder | A decoder typically installed in locomotives, which offers control of the motor and lighting functions. |
| NMRA Connector | A plug and socket system used to connect decoders to the motor and light circuits |
| NMRA DCC Plug | Interface between the decoder and the locomotive's wiring |
| OEM | Short for Original Equipment Manufacturer. |
| OpenLCB | The People, Idea, and Technology powering the NMRA's Layout Command Control(TM) (LCC). |
| Phase | Phase is the relationship of the voltage levels on the rails. |
| Power Bus | The bus that connects the outputs of a booster to the track or accessory decoders. |
| Power Conversion | Ability of a DCC decoder to operate on a non-DCC layout |
| Power supply | Supplies power to the booster and is used to power model railroad trains and layout accessories. |
| Programming Lock | A method of locking the decoders to prevent programming. |
| Programming Modes | Modes available for programming a decoder. |
| Programming Track | A track set aside for programming locomotives using Service Mode. It may or may not be part of the layout. |
| Pulse Width Modulation | Pulse width is modulated in a square wave for better control of energy (watts). |
| Quartering | Alignment process for steam locomotive drivers |
| RJ12 Connector | The connector was originally used for telephone equipment. The RJ means Registered Jack. |
| Rail Size | Various sizes of rail are available to represent main lines, branches, and sidings, as usage/tonnage would require. |
| Rule 17 | Rule 17 is a prototype railroad rule specifying conditions for dimming lights on locomotives. |
| SUSI | SUSI is an interface between DCC Decoders and additional devices. |
| Series Resistor | A resistor installed in series with a load. |
| Silent Drive | See High-Frequency Decoders. |
| Silent HF | See High-Frequency Decoders |
| Slots | A Digitrax term to refer to an address for locomotive under control by a Digitrax system. |
| Snood | A small plastic cap used to retain a wire. Often found in new locomotives, as it eliminates the need to solder the wires to the decoder/light board |
| Speed Curve | See Speed Table |
| Speed Table | A list of settings of how fast or slow the decoder should run at a given throttle speed. |
| Speed steps | Speed steps can be thought of as how many steps or notches there are between idle (stopped) and full throttle. Can be 14, 28, or 128 steps. |
| Stall Current | The current that an electrical motor draws when its shaft if prevented from moving. |
| Standard Dimensions | Dimensions that determine clearances between tracks, structures, platforms, etc. |
| Stationary Decoder | A decoder normally mounted under the benchwork or alongside the track in a "stationary" position. |
| Stiction | |
| Throttle | A Throttle (or Cab) is a way to control the locomotives and other aspects of the layout (turnouts, animation, lighted passenger cars, etc). |
| Transponding | Transponding is a system where a decoder can report back to the system, or command station. |
| Turnout | Arrangement of rails to allow a train to be switched between the main route and a diverging route |
| Turnout Motors | A motor (or switch machine) that is usually connected to a stationary decoder to control a turnout. |
| USP | Uninterruptible Signal Processing |
| Voltage Drop | Lower voltage at the electrical load than power source, due to resistance in the wire. |
| Worm gear | |
| XOR | Logical function used for error checking |
| XPressNet | Lenz's network system |
| Zero Stretching | Method of running a DC powered locomotive on DCC powered rails. |
