Tripplite Isolation Transformer

[JustAnotherUser]

There seems to be no clear answer of what this thing actually does. What kind of problems will it fix? What does it not fix?

[JustAnotherUser]

some specific questions: when I turn my fluorescent light off, my alarm clock radio pops with the radio on. will it fix this? I have a 60Hz hum in some amps, if I plug them in to this, will it go away? When the ac turns on, a desk lamp flickers. Will it fix this?
What does this thing do? Why would anyone buy it? will it make ground loops go away? If speakers buzz, will it reduce that noise?

[JustAnotherUser]

how does the protection this offers compare to a furman or surgex unit?

[Victory Pete]

Hi,
I have this FurmanSound.com - Pro A/V Product - IT-20 II It really cleaned up any noise I had in my power system. Basically an isolation transformer is a 1 to 1 ratio transformer. It makes you isolated from the power companies wires. You are only linked by induction and the equipment grounding conductor. My unit has a ground lift switch if you need to disconnect the ground to eliminate certain noise. They can do this because of the supplied GFCI protection.
VP
Here is the link for the Tripplite General-Purpose Isolation Transformers

[JustAnotherUser]

Quote: It makes you isolated from the power companies wires. You are only linked by induction and the equipment grounding conductor.

but what are the advantages of that? what kind of problems will that actually solve?

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherUser

Quote: It makes you isolated from the power companies wires. You are only linked by induction and the equipment grounding conductor.

but what are the advantages of that? what kind of problems will that actually solve?

EMI and RFI noise rejection. My studio is extremely quiet now.
VP

[JustAnotherUser]

what is the transformer doing that a filter can't?

[Victory Pete]

Isolation means that no direct electrical connection exists between source and load. But that's true for any transformer (other than an autotransformer). What makes the drive isolation transformer different is the placement of grounded electrostatic (Faraday) shielding between and around primary and secondary windings. That provides up to a million-fold decrease in the capacitive coupling involved in transferring common-mode voltage disturbance. Without such shielding, that capacitance allows passage through the transformer of high-frequency "noise" and transient voltage spikes.
Common-mode transients are those appearing between ground and neutral of the a-c system. (Although those two parts of the circuit are normally bonded together at one point, they cannot be presumed to be at the same potential throughout an entire power system.) Such disturbances arise from switchmode power supplies, drive operation, arc welders, lightning, or even from normal operation of such equipment as stepper motors. Some isolation transformers can also block "normal-mode" transients, appearing between line and neutral
VP

[A27Hull]

I have a tripplite iso box.

I got it for testing circuits.


From wiki Isolation transformer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"An isolation transformer is a transformer, often with symmetrical windings, which is used to decouple two circuits. An isolation transformer allows an AC signal or power to be taken from one device and fed into another without electrically connecting the two circuits. Isolation transformers block transmission of DC signals from one circuit to the other, but allow AC signals to pass. They also block interference caused by ground loops. Isolation transformers with electrostatic shields are used for power supplies for sensitive equipment such as computers or laboratory instruments.

In electronics testing, troubleshooting and servicing, an isolation transformer is a 1:1 power transformer which is used for safety. Grounded objects (desk, lamp, concrete floor, oscilloscope ground lead, etc.) near a device under test which is not isolated may be at a hazardous potential difference with respect to that device. By using an isolation transformer, the bonding is eliminated, and the shock hazard is entirely contained within the device—there is no danger in touching a live part of the circuit while another part of the body is at earth potential.

Isolation transformers are also used for the power supply of devices not at ground potential. A well-known example is the Austin transformer for the power supply of air-traffic obstacle lamps on mast radiators insulated against ground.

Isolation transformers are commonly designed with careful attention to capacitive coupling between the two windings. This is necessary because excessive capacitance could also couple AC current from the primary to the secondary. A grounded shield is commonly interposed between the primary and the secondary. This greatly reduces the coupling of common-mode noise present on supply conductors.

Differential noise can magnetically couple from the primary to the secondary of an isolation transformer. This requires other measures, such as a filter, to block differential noise from the secondary of an isolation transformer.

Bare uncased isolation transformers have floating outputs (not tied to ground). Most commercial isolation transformer assemblies sold have one leg of the secondary tied to ground as a safety requirement. This forms a new neutral which eliminates common mode noise, and differential ground noise, prime functions when used to power equipment."

[JustAnotherUser]

OK, so I know what it is and how it works. But what does the thing do?! Is it a better filter than an ac filter? Is it better at removing Radio/EM interference than a Furman box? Is it a better surge protector than a power strip? What are the actual benefits of such a device over something much lighter, smaller, and cheaper?

I know I posted in Geekslutz, but I'm interested in the results, not the technical means of achieving them. I posted here looking for someone who has an isolation transformer and knows how to use a multimeter or, better yet, an oscilloscope. What's different about the ac coming out of a transformer than the ac coming out of the wall?

[TRJanuary]

I'll try to jump in here. A transformer, whether on AC or audio, can solve many problems. It completely de-couples the lines so that physically they never actually touch each other. The signal is transmitted only magnetically.

SO, it gives you a fresh, new, PHYSICALLY isolated Hot and Neutral. (Grounding schemes vary) If you have noisey power, the intent is to completely sever the physical ties to the power, therefore removing the bad artifacts from the power feed. Transformers also block and remove DC.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherUser

OK, so I know what it is and how it works. But what does the thing do?! Is it a better filter than an ac filter?

"AC filter" is just a generic term, some have transformers, some use magic beads, so, who knows. BUT transformers make great ac filters.

Is it better at removing Radio/EM interference than a Furman box?

Not sure about that. It decouples you from noisey power, but does not neccessarily protect you from stuff flying through the air in your studio. It might help in some indirect way. Not sure how a Furman unit could claim this either. Be skeptical of people who market power strips.

Is it a better surge protector than a power strip?

Probably. Maybe someone else can chime in on this, BUT the deal is, many of these types of devices have additional functionality in the form of surge protection. For example, our whole studio runs off of a large ACME transformer, it has built-in limiting. We have it set to 112V AC. So, in the case of something catastrophic (lightning strike) you have the benefit of being physically decoupled, and possibly some protection circuitry. Even though the transformer itself may be burned up by such an event, there is some level of protection to the connected gear. I find it unlikely that any furman product can do much better.

What are the actual benefits of such a device over something much lighter, smaller, and cheaper?

Copper coils are large, heavy, and expensive. But there is no substitute for a good transformer. Because sometimes the only way to solve a problem is to physically de-couple the signal. You cannot put a high quality transformer into a "smaller lighter cheaper" package. (maybe someday with advances in magnetics) All those "lesser" devices attempt to clean up problems without actually decoupling it. I'm sure sometimes they are successful. Not everyone needs a transformer.

In short, if you hook your studio up to your regular power service entrance, or house power, or building power, you are hooking up to every dimmer, refrigerator compressor, computer switching power supply, cable box, flourescent lighting, electric motor, on the entire city block, into your sensitive audio amplification equipment. A transformer attempts to erase all of that by inductively freshening up your hot and neutral lines.

TRY before you BUY, because you never know if you are dealing with a combination of Dirty AC, Radio/EM, Ground Problems. If you drop major coin on a transformer product, you want to know for sure that it helps. I personally wouldn't run a studio without transformer isolated power. (and my own grounding system to go with it)

[TRJanuary]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherUser

some specific questions: when I turn my fluorescent light off, my alarm clock radio pops with the radio on. will it fix this?

If one device IS plugged into the transformer, and the other IS NOT, they would be physically isolated and it would probably fix this. If they were both plugged into the transformer, then probably not, because one of those units is DIRTY (probably the florescent light) and will just dirty up your new hot and neutral all over again. Florescent lights do not play well with audio gear.

I have a 60Hz hum in some amps, if I plug them in to this, will it go away?

MAYBE (thats why I say try before you buy) If your amp noise is related to dirty house power, then yes it will improve. There is no way for us to know if it is that, or grounding problem (amp is plugged into wall but is also connected to a DI box that is connected to a console that is plugged into another outlet) or EM (the guitar itself is near a CRT monitor or florescent light)

When the ac turns on, a desk lamp flickers. Will it fix this?

Probably not. If by "ac" you mean air conditioning, then that is power sag and no transformer (or furman product) will help that I know of. You would need a UPS or backup generator. Sometimes that situation can be improved by having an electrician disconnect, clean, and reconnect your main service entrance. Corrosion can cause weakness.

will it make ground loops go away? If speakers buzz, will it reduce that noise?

Possibly. There is just not enough information given to know. (what type of speakers? powered or unpowered? hooked up to what?) If you bought one of these, then plugged everything in your studio into it (audio gear ONLY), then hooked it up to its own grounding rod, that would vanquish many, many problems. You would theoretically have clean hot, neutral and ground.

TRY before you BUY if possible.

[JustAnotherUser]

Wow. You, sir (or ma'am), deserve a medal. That was the best answer I have ever read on this forum. You have helped tremendously and answered all of my questions. Bravo. Thank you. thumbsup