An isolation transformer is a device that is designed for the so-called galvanic separation of power consumers and the power supply network.
The main objective of such a device can be called increasing safety due to the fact that equipment such as an isolation transformer does not have electrical connections in the secondary circuits with earth or with voltage sources made in the form of a grounded or effectively grounded neutral at transformer substations.
In this situation, even the occurrence of a possible electrical breakdown on the case will not cause overload on electric current. At the same time, the device itself will remain in absolutely good working order. If a person accidentally touches a part of the device, which, accordingly, is under emergency voltage, the leakage current will not exceed the life-threatening level for a person, and tragedy can be avoided.
An isolation transformer will not be superfluous not only at industrial enterprises, but even at home. Especially if there is a home workshop.
At the heart of such a device, as an isolation transformer, is the so-called TS (unified transformer). Since modern household electrical appliances come in various energy capacities and power, unified transformers are also taken with the expectation of a variety of types of load and load power values.
The effect of separation and lack of electrical connection (which leads to the so-called galvanic isolation of the voltage that feeds the device, and the voltage that is supplied from the power supply lines) is achieved very simply. The isolation transformer has in its design two windings - a secondary and a primary. Between them, reinforced (not less than double) insulation or a metal grounded tap is installed, which ensures the avoidance of breakdown. Since the isolation transformer is not designed to convert voltage, its transformation coefficient is usually equal to one. In this case, the input voltage will differ from the output voltage.
However, then what is the point of using such a transformer? This is easily demonstrated by example, if in a humid place, for example, in the bathroom there is an electric point without galvanic isolation. In case moisture gets to such a point, a breakdown of insulation will occur. As a result, a certain section of the wall and ungrounded electrical appliances next to it will be affected by voltage.
If there is a breakdown of insulation even with an isolation transformer, then the same part of the wall can also be energized, however, in this case the current will be very minimal. And if there is no breakdown of insulation, the calculation of such a device as an isolation transformer is selected correctly, then there will be no current or voltage at all.
Such a device is often used in medicine. It is possible to use it as an output transformer or as a connecting transformer for matching the resistance of a circuit.