Product Information

Uhlenbrock Switch-Control 63400

Summary of Features

The Switch-Control provides an interface between a Track Diagram Control Board (TDCB) and the LocoNet connection of the Intellibox. The TDCB is a control panel made up of individual switches, buttons, and indicators arranged in a similar pattern to the actual layout. The switches and buttons of the TDCB are connected to the inputs of the Switch-Control. Each input may be programmed to send either an accessory or feedback command when it is activated. This allows accessories, as well as entire routes that have been stored in an IB-Switch, to be controlled directly from the TDCB. The status indicators (lamps or LEDs) of the TDCB are connected to the Switch-Control outputs, which are also individually programmable to activate in response to accessory or feedback commands.

All of the Switch-Control's operating characteristics are freely programmable using the LocoNet Program feature of the Intellibox (v1.3 and up). A Switch-Control can be assigned a unique module address, allowing several modules to be installed in the same control system. Each of the Switch-Control's ten inputs and outputs can be associated with an accessory "branch" or "straight" command or a feedback "free" or "occupied" command in the address range of 1-2048. The Switch-Control may also be programmed to respond to specific switch/button sequences of the TDCB using "Start & End" key combinations, a particularly useful feature for safely controlling routes and turnouts.

Since the Switch-Control communicates over the LocoNet connection, it is able to "listen" to all of the commands in the control system. The Switch-Control outputs are activated when matching commands are issued by the Switch-Control itself or any other device in the system including digital accessory controllers and feedback modules. This allows the indicators on the TDCB to display the true status of the layout by incorporating all of the commands issued within the system.

With these features, the Switch-Control is configurable to suit even the most complex layout control operations. The combination of a custom TDCB and a Switch-Control provides a very ergonomic and reliable control solution for any layout.

Please see the sections below for more detailed information on the Switch-Control's many features. You can also download and view the online Switch-Control manual here.

Advanced Programming

All of the inputs and outputs of the Switch-Control may be independently configured using the LocoNet Program feature of the Intellibox (v1.3 and up). Each input and output operates according to its own set of programming parameters, called LocoNet configuration variables (LNCVs). There are separate LNCVs that control which events turn each output On and Off, and which commands are generated when an input or combination of inputs is activated.

For each input, an LNCV is programmed that contains the address and type of command that will be generated when that input is activated. The type of command may be an accessory "branch" or "straight" command, or a feedback "free" or "occupied" command. It is also possible to program an input to work in a toggle mode, alternating between accessory "branch" and "straight" commands each time it is activated. Each command is associated with the address of an accessory or feedback contact in the range of 1-2048. When programmed to generate an accessory command, the TDCB switch/button connected to this input may be used to control that accessory directly without any additional equipment. An input assigned to produce a feedback command can be used to set or release a route that is stored in an IB-Switch. This can be done by assigning the route to the same feedback address and event type using the Sensor Programming feature of the IB-Switch.

Each output of the Switch-Control is programmed similarly, with separate LNCVs to control their On and Off states. The LNCVs are programmed with the address and type of command that will turn the corresponding output On or Off. The command type may be an accessory "branch" or "straight" command, or a feedback "free" or "occupied" command. Outputs may also be programmed to respond to individual, or combinations of, input key presses.

"Start & End" Key Combinations

In addition to the programming modes described above, the Switch-Control may also be programmed to activate its various functions using "Start & End" key combinations. This feature allows switches/buttons on the TDCB to have multiple uses, depending on the sequence and combination of switches/buttons pressed. For each possible pair of inputs, there is a corresponding LNCV of the Switch-Control that may be programmed to generate a command when that input combination is activated. The command types and address range are the same as described in the previous section. Outputs may also be programmed to turn On or Off in response to Start & End key combinations by programming their respective LNCVs.

The Start & End key feature is very useful for safely controlling train movements in a station area using turnout banks or routes. When the turnouts are divided into groups or banks, a Start key may be assigned to each bank and End keys assigned to each turnout. To control the turnout, both the correct bank key and turnout key must be activated simultaneously, which provides additional operating safety. When used to activate routes in an IB-Switch, the Start & End keys represent the beginning and end of each possible route. In this way, a train can be routed from Track A to Track B, or vice versa, depending on the order in which the buttons are pressed.

Simple Programming for Accessory Control

Despite its many customizable features, the Switch-Control remains easy to setup for basic accessory control. Using the Simple programming mode, a single LNCV can be programmed to simultaneously configure all of the inputs and outputs of the Switch-Control. This single LNCV is programmed with the operating mode and a base address. The operating mode sets the inputs and outputs to either "paired" or "single" mode.

In the "paired" operating mode, a total of 5 accessories can be controlled. Input 1 sends a "branch" command and input 2 sends a "straight" command to control the accessory at the base address. Outputs 1&2 indicate the accessory's position (red or green). The four remaining input and output pairs are automatically assigned to the next four accessory addresses.

In the "single" mode, a total of 10 accessories can be controlled. Input 1 controls the accessory at the base address, and output 1 displays its position. Each time input 1 is activated, the accessory command that is sent toggles between "branch" or "straight", and output 1 turns On or Off. The nine remaining inputs and outputs are automatically assigned to control the next nine accessory addresses.

Up-to-Date Layout Status

The Switch-Control constantly interacts with the control system to keep the TDCB indicators up-to-date. Whenever a matching command is issued by the control system, the Switch-Control outputs are activated accordingly. The command may have been generated by the Switch-Control itself or any other device in the system. These devices include digital feedback modules and accessory controllers such as the Intellibox, IB-Control, IB-Switch, Märklin Keyboard or Memory.

This interaction allows the TDCB indicators to display the true status of the layout at all times by incorporating every command issued by every device within the system. This is a very important feature, especially for layouts with multiple operators and control centers.

Technical Specifications