Isolation Transformer

[johnnydiaz]

What Isolation Transformer do you guys recommend? I will be using it for light duty. I was thinking about the Tripp Lite IS1000HG.

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

Viz Isotap II WP-27A

Have 2. Both 25+ years old.

https://www.valuetronics.com/detail/...m#.UR2mbmfld8E

Cheaper than playing (stupid) bidding wars on eBay. A hell of a lot cheaper than $400 for the Tripp Lite.

Also, keep an eye out on eBay for the "Medical Grade", straight (non-variable) units. Sometimes high wattage and good as a whole workbench isolation unit.

T

[budm]

Re: Isolation Transformer

That Staco E1010VA is also good to have.

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

That Staco E1010VA is also good to have.

Remember that a Variac is -not- an isolation transformer. It can be used -ahead- of an isolation transformer, however.

https://www.valuetronics.com/detail/...m#.UR3A3Wfld8E

Again, $100 to $400 less than eBay.

T

[budm]

Re: Isolation Transformer

I know, I use the Variac to feed my Isolation transformer. Good to have both, especially the current and Volt meter in one case.

[smason]

Re: Isolation Transformer

Viz Isotap II WP-27A

Have 2. Both 25+ years old.

https://www.valuetronics.com/detail/...m#.UR2mbmfld8E

Cheaper than playing (stupid) bidding wars on eBay. A hell of a lot cheaper than $400 for the Tripp Lite.

Great deal, finally got a quote for shipping to the frozen tundra, $65.00

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

C'est la vie...

Report back with your opinion of Valuetronics. I had a good experience and they drop-shipped it to a member on here for me.

T

[smason]

Re: Isolation Transformer

Yeah, I'm not payin' $65 to ship a $29 item. I know it's probably heavy, and it's still a good deal, but I don't want one that badly.

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

???

You were ready to drop nearly $400 for the Tripp-Lite unit...?



...and yes, it weighs ~15 pounds (6.8kg)

T

[smason]

Re: Isolation Transformer

???

You were ready to drop nearly $400 for the Tripp-Lite unit...?

Um no, not me. Maybe the O/P.

You couldn't give me a free Tripp-Lite anything.
I've seen too many of their UPSes catch fire. Well 2, but that's 2 too many.

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

Sorry. Your statement in #6 made me think you were the O/P.

[Longbow]

Re: Isolation Transformer

An isolation transformer is one of the basics. You can't touch any piece of equipment that runs directly off the line. Well, more accurately, you CAN touch it with other test equipment but that will be an exciting and regrettable afternoon.

Some variacs, notably the expensive ones are isolated, most are not. The big money pays for a large isolation transformer and hefty autotransformer in one box. Usually the variac is needed when you are fixing amplifiers that draw high amperes for unknown reasons. this feature is sometimes useful when fixing switching supplies also, because most switching supplies will start up at reduced voltages.

In the same vein, a differential input scope is a very valuable tool for many reasons, one of which is power isolation. Differential probe modules are quite expensive unfortunately.

[Toasty]

Re: Isolation Transformer

If you could cite an example of an isolated one, I would appreciate it. I was of the understanding that those were no longer manufactured (long time) and they weren't what is considered a "true" Variac (variable autotransformer) anyway.

T