Decoder

Decoders can be grouped into three categories: Multifunction, Function and Accessory, each having additional sub-classifications. In summary, they are:
* MultiFunction - Used in rolling to stock, such as locomotives to control movement, lights, and sound. Can also be used in cars to control lights or other animations.
** Sound - Responsible for playing noises typically heard around a train, such as a engine sound, horns, and bells. Sound decoders are technically considered a multifunction decoder because many also control the motor and lights.
** Some sound decoders are purely for sound. They can be used to provide sound effects such as mechanical refrigeration or animals in a vehicle.
* Function decoders supply additional functions in a vehicle, or can be used independently to control lighting in vehicles such as a caboose.
* Accessory - Control signals, turnouts, and animations around a layout.
==MultiFunction Decoder==
Commonly called a mobile decoder, the NMRA refers to these as a multifunction decoder. Multifunction decoders are installed into vehicles such as locomotives or other rolling stock that moves along the rails. It allows complete control of motors, lights, sound, and other functions. Installation may occur at the factory during manufacturing, installed by a third party, such as a hobby shop, or install them yourself. 
Multifunction decoders can be further broken down into two types: Retail and OEM. Retail decoders are full function decoders that you buy at the hobby shop for installation, either by the shop or yourself. OEM decoders are supplied directly to the factory for installation in a vehicle during manufacture, and may not have all the functions of a retail decoder. OEM decoders can have custom programming for various functions specific to that model, as well as the appropriate sounds.
=== Sound Decoder ===
Another form of multifunction decoder, which in addition to motor and function control, has sound capabilities. The sounds are tied to the motor operation, allowing for realistic effects such as the prime mover loading up, or the beat of a steam locomotive's exhaust. Other effects include dynamic brakes, rod clank, steam cocks opening, and in the case of internal combustion, starting or shut down of the prime mover. Plus, other associated sounds such as horn/whistle, bell, coupler noises and other ambient effects.
While many multifunction decoders are supplied from the factory with a particular sound set, some premium multifunction decoders allow for complete reprogramming with custom sound effects. While you can download new sound files (formatted for that decoder) and load them into a retail decoder, OEM sound files often are locked to a specified decoder model and cannot be loaded into a retail decoder.
The ESU LokSound decoders are an example of a multifunction sound decoder which can have custom sound projects loaded onto it. The retail versions are blank when purchased, and can be loaded with a sound project by the dealer, yourself, or someone installing the decoder.
== Function Decoder ==
The Function Decoder provides lighting effects in passenger cars and cabooses. Marker lights can also be included. The decoder will allow some customization and the ability to turn effects on and off. Sometimes they were used in conjunction with a multifunction decoder to provide extra function outputs in addition to the limited number available from the early multifunction decoders. The Decoder Lock feature was developed to aid in programming additional function or sound only decoders with the same address. 
== Sound Only Decoder ==
Some sound decoders are designed for use in rolling stock which lacks a motor. These decoders only provide ambient sounds related to that car, such as cattle in a stock car, or the engine noise of the mechanical refrigerator system in a reefer car. 
There also were sound decoders designed to be installed in a locomotive in addition to the multifunction decoder which lacked sound. With the introduction of multifunction decoders with integrated sound these types faded away.
==Accessory Decoders==
Accessory decoders are normally mounted under the benchwork in a stationary position. Accessory decoders are used to control railway turnouts, structure lights, scene lighting, animation, and signalling. Many have multiple outputs, allowing devices nearby to be controlled from one accessory decoder. 
== Avoiding Runaway Locomotives ==
Good trackwork, proper wiring following the recommended best practices, proper power management and eliminating the cause of shorts goes a long way to prevent runaways from occurring. A common cause of runaways is a distorted DCC signal causing the vehicle's multifunction decoder to switch to analog operation, accelerating to full speed in the process.
A runaway is scary, and the only way to stop it is a total shutdown of track power. 
Also read the section on Compatibility Issues for technical details on multifunction decoder addressing to avoid a runaway.
== Multifunction Decoder Troubleshooting ==
Some multifunction decoders may not properly consist with other decoders, have memory corruption, weak or bad solder joints, track over-voltage, overheating, etc. Troubleshooting can take a bit of time to diagnose and correct. Be sure to read the Multifunction Decoder Troubleshooting article for tips.
== See Also ==
* Decoder installation - How to install mobile decoders
* Multifunction Decoder Troubleshooting
* Installing LEDs with DCC Decoders
* Throttles
* Configuration variable
* Decoder Reset
Category:DCC
Category:Decoder
Category:Throttle Network
Category:Sound
=== External Links ===
From the Australian NMRA site:
* Tuning Decoders with Decoder Pro
* Setting the Brake Function
* Speed Matching a Diesel Tsunami Decoder