Diagram for putting volt & amp meters in ac circuits

[lucy 1]

Hi,
  Does any one have a schmetic for installing
volt & amp meters in ac  moodel r/r circuits?

  Thank you Lucy 1

[glennk28]

As a rule, a volt meter goes in parallel with the load, i.e. across the rails;  ammeter in series with the load.  gj   Check Linn Westcott's "How to Wire yoiur Model Railroad"

[JerryB]

Why do you want to put meters on the AC side? While that will show to overall voltage (110VAC) and power draw in AC amps going into the supply, it is much more informative to put meters between the power supply and the track, that is on the DC side. That will show the actual voltage (0 to 12V) to the track and the amount of current each engine is drawing.

In either case, as Glenn wrote, the voltmeter goes in parallel with the load and the ammeter goes in series with the load. Be sure to select the correct meters (AC or DC). You also need a + / - voltmeter DC meter if putting it directly on the power going to the track. That will accommodate the reversing of polarity required to reverse the engine.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

[Jim Banner]

On the railroad, ac amp and volt meters could be used to measure:
- ac draw of older Lionel and similar tinplate locomotives
- ac draw of incandescent lighting, ac accessories and switch machines
- monitor track voltage and current draw for DCC (with small errors)
- to check the input current and output voltage of ac supplies (transformers) to check their state of health
- track voltage and current draw of dc trains without having to dig into the wiring of the power pack.

Perhaps Lucy1 will tell us the intended use - inquiring minds want to know.

[Yampa Bob]

Ditto on "inquiring minds".  Give us the "scoop" Lucy1. 

[lucy 1]

Hi Guys,
  Thank you for your responses. The problem is solved.
    I wanted to be able to keep track of the voltage and
amps on this new Lionel train set. So I need to go between the track and the transformer. On my Ho pike the meters are already located
in the MRC power pack so no worry there. Over the years these
meters have solved many problems and at times, shown problems
that would have gone unnoticed.

thanks again,
Lucy 1    PS My local library is looking for the book by Linn westcott.