DC wiring. Correct size for power bus wire? - Model Railroader Magazine

betamax:

Skin effect is minimal at the frequencies DCC works at, now at RF the range, it does become a big deal.

Still, using heavy wire for the bus, like 14AWG, is a good idea, as too much resistance can cause all kinds of problems, and most of those problems are caused by inadequate wiring.  Cheaper to do it right the first time, than burn out a $100 Tsunami or melt a truck side frame first.

Respectfully I have to ask - did you read the title of this thread? or all the posts in this thread?

The OP is using DC, he has no Tsunami's to burn out. Skin effect was just a side disscussion, a side disscussion that has no bearing on the OP's situation in fact.

Again I will repeat my view, most properly planned DC systems do not need a layout bus, but may need a throttle bus depending on the type of DC system. But even with that, each isolated track section should require only one feeder which can often be 18AWG or 22AWG with no problem.

Sheldon