Hornby connecting clips. DC or DCC by sight

[End2end]

Is there a way to tell the difference between the DC and DCC versions of Hornby's standard black connecting clip by sight?

I have 5 and all have a blue bit on the bottom.
Thanks
End2end

[Roger (RJ)]

Just flip them open, if there is a capacitor inside then it's analogue. No capacitor and it's digital. Cut the capacitor out of the digital ones and it becomes digital.

[End2end]

I'd rather not damage them by trying to open them as I need to sell them.
Is there another way?
Thanks
End2end

[Ironduke]

Do they have a part number on them?

[End2end]

Do they have a part number on them?

I cannot see one. Just the Hornby logo and an 'M' next to it on the base.
Thanks
End2end

[Ironduke]

Well, do you have a mulitmeter that measures capacitance? Most don't.

[whufcfan]

End2end, fairly certain the blue piece underneath you refer to is a capacitor, so non digital. They do unclip so you maybe able to remove it, but with all things plastic they may break.
Non digi part number R602
Digi R8242

[End2end]

Well, do you have a mulitmeter that measures capacitance? Most don't.

hmmm. You pose an interesting possible simple test there Ironduke.

I wonder if I could test just with a power input and an LED on the output side.
If I was to remove the power then, without capacitance, the LED would go out immediately.
If the LED stays on for however long after removing the power then I know there's a capacitor inside.
Does this sound plausible?

Also, would an analogue controller need to reach it's highest power output in order to charge the capacitor fully?

And just for completeness, Why do the analogue versions have a capacitor in them in the first place?
Is it for TV interference suppression like the capacitors in analogue locos?
And have they always had a capacitor in them even before DCC came along?

Sorry for all the questions but you've all piqued my interest into the where's and why-fors.

@whufcfan. I'd rather not open them in fear of breaking them as I need to sell them to put some more funds in the layout kitty.

Thanks
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[Flashbang]

The capacitor isn't an electrolytic so it won't store a charge. Usually they are ceramic.

Just carefully pry open the cover and look! Or use a multimeter with a capacitance reading range

Analogue layouts are very "noisy" where RF interference is concerned. So the rails act like long antenna and help transmit RF Interference. The capacitor in the clip helps reduce this interference.
On DCC (Digital) layouts the capacitor causes the data to become corrupted hence they have to be removed if fitted.

[End2end]

Thanks for the explanation Flashbang.
I'll dig my meter out and check if it has a capacitance range on it.
Thanks
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[RAF96]

I have some power clips marked DCC and some not so marked.
Prising them open is not destructive...

[End2end]

Perfect! Thank you RAF96.
I searched high and low for a picture of them opened and to confirm the blue thing was indeed a capacitor. So now I can confirm they are DC versions without opening them.
Fantastic.

Thanks to all who replied too.
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[RAF96]

I took a picture of the backs of DC and DCC clips. You can see the (yellow) capacitor inside or not through a slot.

[End2end]

Ahh yes RAF, they are like the ones on the right albeit the capacitor is blue.
Also, via your close up, you can see the 'M' I mentioned next to the Hornby logo. I'm not sure if it means anything though.
Thanks
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