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Lightning Induced Failure Of Cable Driver/Receiver Chips
The modular cables connect to chips that serve as both drivers and receivers for the cable’s
signals. The Command Station and every ZoneMaster Booster use the same cable driver chips.
On rare occasions, the driver chip can be damaged by nearby lightning strikes. The strike doesn’t
have to be directly to your house. An nearby strike can couple enough energy into the modular
cable that it can destroy the chip that connects the ZoneMaster to the modular cable. In rare cases,
the strike can also destroy the Command Station’s cable driver chip. Fortunately, the chips are all
in sockets for easy replacement. Use the simple check below to see if you have a damaged chip.
Symptoms: You’ll first notice that the trains are not running. You’ll also discover there is no
voltage on the rails. Look at the front panel of your ZoneMaster. The GP light will be off and the
red FT light will be flashing. These are symptoms of no Command Station data getting to the
ZoneMaster. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to determine if the bad chip is in the Command
Station, or in the ZoneMaster. The same chip is used in both and we recommend replacing both at
the same time.
Ordering Chips: Send us an email and explain your problem. In the email, include your address
and phone number. We will send you two new chips at no charge. While you are waiting for the
chips, find their locations using the guide below.
Chip Part Numbers and Appearance: The chip part number is DS8921N from Texas
Instruments. It is an 8 pin part. The chip is polarity sensitive and must be oriented correctly in the
socket. If plugged in backwards, it will not work and may be damaged.
Chip Locations: The chips that drive the modular cable between the Command Station and the
ZoneMaster booster are plugged into sockets to make them easy to replace.
AC Jack
Dimple
Notch
Text Orientation
Pin-1
Pin-4
Pin-8
Command Station - Model CS2B ZoneMaster - Single/Dual
Dimple
Pin-1
U11
DS8921N
U3
DS8921N
Dimple
Soc
ke
t
Pin-1
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