Compared to classic digital decoders, with CTC you can get quite close to the desired goal of seeing how a turnout actually stands in the app, without any special measures. This is achieved because the CTC app displays the status based on the feedback from the turnout and not just that it has sent the command.

What remains hidden from the CTC app, however, is if the turnout is mechanically blocked or is manually switched. At least for LGB turnouts, there is a perfect solution that I would like to introduce to you in this article.

Under the article number 12070, LGB offers an additional switch that is plugged onto the turnout drive. It contains two microswitches that are operated by the turnout lever. Since the additional switch is connected to the turnout blade without an additional spring, it can reliably indicate their position.

Compared to the usual connection of an LGB turnout to the CTC-Turnout-Module-G (red, brown, green, gray), we also connect:

  • GND (black) to the two middle terminals of the LGB additional switch.
  • VBB (orange) to the SENS-1 and SENS-2 terminals of the CTC-Turnout-Module-G.
  • The two outer terminals of the LGB additional switch (blue) to the SENS-1-GND and SENS-2-GND terminals of the CTC-Turnout-Module-G.

LGB Turnout wired with Sensor

Now we only need to select the appropriate product in the configuration in the CTC app:

Product Catalog: Turnout with Sensor

Then we assign the product’s terminals and get the following configuration:

Product Catalog: Turnout with Sensor

In the CTC app, the turnout looks exactly like any other turnout:

Turnout with Sensor in the Control Panel

The blue marking for the position of the turnouts now indicates the actual position, as determined by the two sensors included in the CTC-Turnout-Module-G. This can be easily tested by manually switching the turnout with your finger instead of through the CTC app.

If the turnout can only partially switch, e.g., due to a small stone and gets stuck halfway, you can recognize this because neither of the two positions is marked in blue:

Turnout with Sensor blocked

If you want, you can also link triggers to the two turnout positions, creating logic that responds to the actual turnout position instead of the switching command.