I have just purchased two of the new Peco points, there is a fine wire connected on the underside of the point but no explanation as to what to do with it. This is listed on the box as an electrofrog point.
What exactly is it for?
I thought there was something on the leaflet in the box, but the wire does not appear to be mentioned.
The point can be used in different ways (probably best to seek confirmation before doing anything irreversible as I may have got it wrong):
1. as is (ignore or cut off the wire) and install it as per the leaflet.
2. switch the frog using an accessory mircoswitch on the point motor or if operating the point manually employ the trick of using a slide switch drilled to take the push rod
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Bazeley/LB-Construction.html (http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Bazeley/LB-Construction.html)
3. if the backs of wheels shorting the "open" switch blade is a problem, then cut the very short wires joining the point blades to the common crossing/frog and connect the point blades to the adjacent stock rail in addition to 2. above.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm (http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm)
Despite what it says, it is wiring for DC too.
The reason for the switch is partly not to have to rely on the point blades themselves to switch the current to the relevant road. Some people that don't use a switch have no problem with unreliable contact others do. However, on some makes of point there is a little bit of metal attached to the blades that rubs over the stock rail to make the contact but these points just press against the stock rail. A rubbing contact will clean itself but a tiny bit of grit may prevent contact where the blade just presses against the stock rail.
More ways of skinning a cat or you pays your money and makes your choice etc!
Or without altering anything Graeme has posted ,if you only want to change the points by the bar on the point merely run wires to micro switches installed on a route diagram.You will have to remember to change this EVERYTIME you alter the points ,otherwise short circuits will occour!