Separating transformer - the principle of operation and purpose

A separating transformer is a device that is intended for the so-called galvanic separation of electricity consumers and the power grid that feeds them.

The main objective of such a device can be called increased safety due to the fact that equipment such as a separation transformer does not have electrical connections to 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 housing will not cause an overload on the electrical current. The device itself will remain in perfect working order. If an individual touches a part of the device that is under emergency voltage, the leakage current will not exceed the life-threatening level for the person, and as a result, the tragedy can be avoided.

A separating transformer will not be superfluous, not only in industrial plants, but even at home. Especially if there is a home workshop.

At the heart of such a device as a transformer is a separating one, lies the so-called TS (unified transformer). Since modern household electrical appliances are of different energy intensity and power, unified transformers are also taken with the calculation for a variety of load types and load power values.

The effect of separation and lack of electrical communication (which leads to the so-called galvanic isolation of the voltage that feeds the device, and the voltage that is supplied from the electric supply lines) is very simple. The separating transformer has in its design two windings - secondary and primary. Between them is installed reinforced (no less than double) insulation or a metal grounded valve, which allows you to ensure the avoidance of breakdown. Since the isolation transformer is not intended for voltage conversion, its transformation ratio is usually one. In this case, the input voltage will differ from the output voltage.

However, what then is the use of such a transformer? This is easy to demonstrate by example, if in a damp place, for example, in the bathroom there is an electrical point without galvanic isolation. In the event that moisture gets to such a point, an insulation breakdown will occur. As a consequence, some section of the wall and ungrounded electrical appliances next to it will be affected by the voltage.

If there is an insulation breakdown and with a separating transformer, the same part of the wall can also be energized, but in this case the current will be the lowest. And if there is no breakdown of insulation, the calculation of such a device as a separating transformer is chosen 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 binder transformer to match the resistance of the circuit.