5
5. General properties
ECoSDetector feedback modules are suitable for operation with
the ESU command stations ECoS 50000, ECOS 50200 as well as
with the Central Station 60212 “Reloaded” with ESU Update.
The command station must have firmware version 3.4.1 or high-
er in order to be able to operate the ECoSDetector modules.
ECoSDetector modules detect track occupancy and transmit these
to the ECoSlink terminal of the command station. The “occupied”
information can either be displayed on the track control diagram,
for activating routes or to pass it on to a computer via the appro-
priate interface.
All ECoSDetector modules are automatically recognised by the
command station and integrated into the system. They can be
wired in any sequence can be adapted to your layout. The ECoS-
Detector is fully updateable. New firmware files are automatically
downloaded from the ECoS command station if a newer version
has become available.
The ECoSDetector occupancy detector can monitor up to 16 track
sectors. Internally they are subdivided into two groups of 8 each
that can be wired to one or two booster sectors. All feedback
inputs are galvanically separated from the track voltage by means
of optoelectronic couplers. This practically avoids any risk of short
circuits while the feedback functions very reliably.
The monitored track sectors are polled cyclically by a 32 Bit micro
controller thus avoiding any noticeable delays of the status feed-
back. In order to avoid any wrong occupancy feedback all sectors
act with a certain delay. This works as follows:
• Switch-on delay: Is a track occupancy detected it must remain on
for at least 4 milliseconds before this signal is considered valid and
before it is transmitted.
• Switch-off delay: If a previously occupied track is detected as
unoccupied the signal is only transmitted after a delay of 200 mil-
liseconds. Should this track sector during this delay period be re-
General properties
ported as “occupied” once again, there will be no feedback signal
and the switch-off delay starts again. Once the track is confirmed
as “unoccupied” and the switch-off delay period has passed the
“unoccupied” status will be reported to the command station.
Short interruptions - perhaps caused by poor contact between the
wheels and the track - can easily be filtered with this method.
ECoSDetector modules can be operated in parallel to s88 feed-
back modules at your command station.
5.1. Properties of the ECoSDetector Standard
The ECoSDetector Standard has 16 feedback inputs that work as
„common“contacts. An ECoSDetector Standard has to be wired
exactly in the same manner as an s88 module and can fully replace
it. Due to the robust ECoSlink feedback bus the feedback is far
more reliable.
The ECoSDetector Standard is mainly designed for 3-rail layouts or
for layouts with reed contacts.
5.2. Properties of the ECoSDetector
The ECoSDetector has 16 feedback inputs. Each of them can be
configured either as a “common” contact or as a current sensor
by means of a jumper. In addition, four of the 16 feedback inputs
are suitable for RailCom® feedback. If the inputs are configured
as current sensors the maximum permitted current is 3 A per track
sector.
Due to its flexibility the ECoSDetector is suitable for both 3-rail and
2-rail operation and for all model train gauges.
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