Booster Interface

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TCS command station and booster products (CS-105, B-106, etc...) use the NMRA Standard S-9.1.2 Power Station Interface Full Scale Interface method. TCS command station and booster products are compatible with other manufacturers' products that use the same Full Scale Interface. This includes, but not limited to, command stations and boosters from:

  • Digitrax
  • Lenz
  • NCE

TCS command station and booster products are not directly compatible with the alternative Driver/Receiver Interface method.

Power Station Interface on TCS Command Stations and Boosters

TCS products use the OpenLCB/LCC NMRA S-9.7.1.1 CAN Physical Layer, which consists of an RJ-45 connector routing the CAN signals, power, and two ALT signals on pins 4 & 5: Copyright 2011-2021 OpenLCB https://openlcb.org/licensing

TCS utilizes the ALT_L/ALT_H signals on pins 4 & 5 for the Full Scale Power Station Interface. These signals are used when connecting to other manufacturers' command stations and boosters.

Digitrax CS to TCS Booster or TCS CS to Digitrax Booster

Booster Interface (LCC to Digitrax).png
Important Requirement: Most Digitrax boosters are not electrically isolated (sometimes referred to as "opto-isolated"). Unless using an electrically isolated booster, connect all of the Digitrax, TCS boosters and command stations together with a heavy AWG (recommended 14AWG or larger) "common". This is typically labeled "GR" on Digitrax boosters and command stations and labeled "Common" on TCS boosters and command stations. For more information, see section Booster Common below.

Lenz CS to TCS Booster or TCS CS to Lenz Booster

Booster Interface (LCC to Lenz).png


Note: All Lenz Boosters are electrically isolated. See section Booster Common below for additional information.

NCE CS to TCS Booster or TCS CS to Lenz Booster

Booster Interface (LCC to NCE).png


Note: All NCE Boosters are electrically isolated. See section Booster Common below for additional information.