Folks frequently say that the collection of new terms for DCC confuses them. They read a manual and may not follow what it says, as it speaks DCC-English, not English.

eMail me with suggestions for terms that I may have left out!

Well, here are some simplified definitions for common terms:


Slang for printed circuit board (PC or PCB). This can be the raw board or the finished product stuffed with chips and other components, ready to make up boosters, command stations, decoders, etc.

NCE cab radio board V15

NCE Cab Radio Board (external antenna) shown


That portion of a DCC system that takes the NMRA standard data packets from the command station and, using power from a power supply, brings them up to the NMRA standards for data & power on the track. Unlike "C. B." boosters, they have nothing to do with the distance a signal can travel.

NCE PB110a

NCE PB-110a 10 amp booster shown

Bus vs. Buss

It is a spelling issue:

“Bus” is a term used in the computer world to refer to things that carry data, like the bus wiring from the DCC booster to the track. Or the cab bus wiring that connects the cabs to the DCC system.

DCC Bus feeders

“Buss” is a kiss.

A buss is a kiss


A buzzer is a tool that I use when wiring track. 


To build a buzzer, you will need a 9 volt battery and a buzzer designed for 9 VDC (All Electronics has them). Wire them per the schematic below and the photo above.

buzzer schematic

To use it, disconnect all DCC (and DC) components from the track bus, like boosters, circuit breakers, etc. Then connected between the two bus wires. It will buzz the instant you start to wire a short into the layout. The most frequent sources of shorts are “Electro-Frog” switches where the points aren’t insulated and getting confused wiring the track and crossing your wires.Remove the buzzer when you reconnect the DCC.


This is my preferred term for the item used to control trains on a DCC system. Throttle is a common term that I don't prefer. Here's why: In the cab of a locomotive there are controls for lights, horn, bell, direction, and speed. The throttle is just one of these controls. A DCC cab encompasses the larger group of items.

NCE ProCab

NCE ProCab shown

Feb 27, 2013


Slang for an electronic device formally called an integrated circuit (IC). Chips contain lots of transistors and other components. Chips are some of the components that go on boards to make up boosters, command stations, decoders, etc.

In my jargon, “Chipping a loco” means breaking something off it, not installing a decoder into it.

NCE chip

NCE PowerCab upgrade chip shown

Command Station

That portion of the DCC system that takes input from the cab and converts it to NMRA standard data packets ready to be sent to the track. May be a separate box, or a function built into another box, such as a booster / command station (system box) or a cab (as the NCE PowerCab).


NCE CS-02 shown


Abbreviation for the DCC term: Configuration Variable. CVs are the locations (identified by numbers) where the personality of your decoder is stored. For more information, CLICK HERE.


The board that is mounted in a locomotive or other rolling stock (mobile decoder) on on the layout (stationary decoder). Decoders take the data from the track and turn it into electrical current to operate motors, lights, etc. They may or may not create matching sounds.

SoundTraxx TSU1000

SoundTraxx Tsunami TSU1000

Power Supply

A generic term for that element of the DCC system that takes power from the (A. C.) mains and translates it into power that can be utilized by the DCC System. These may fall into two categories based on the type of power delivered: A. C. or D. C. A. C.

Power Supplies are correctly called transformers. Inside the case, they may have a switch and indicator light plus the transformer and some protective devices, such as thermal switches and circuit breakers.

DCCSpecialties MF615

DCC Specialties MF615 shown

D. C. Power Supplies are correctly called power supplies. They will probably have a higher voltage rating for the same system than the equivalent A. C. transformer. Digitrax PS-2012 shown in the photo above.

Digitrax PS2012

Digitrax PS2012 shown

In recent years, small D. C. switching power supplies are suplanting the AC transformers. They are light to ship and can work off almost any power main power anywhere in the world, with the proper line cord. They also present a more constant load to the power lines, as mandated by increasing laws in the world. Computer D. C. switching power supply shown.

Notebook Power Supply

Computer switching power supply shown

System Box

A box that contains both a command station and a booster.

Digitrax DCS240

Digitrax DCS-240 shown.

Feb 27, 2013


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Information on this site represents Bruce’s experiences and opinions. They are presented without warranty as an example of ways to utilize DCC products. The user is solely responsible for any use made of this data.