Isolation Transformers

Hey, Jim. I don’t disagree with anything you said, and you know a whole lot more about this than me, but the Tripplites that are hospital grade, such as the one I bought, the 1800HG claim hospital grade receptacles and talk about a floating ground (actually, ’floating AC output’) if you go to the Tripplite website. See
https://www.tripplite.com/isolator-series-120v-1800w-ul60601-1-medical-grade-isolation-transformer-6...
Yet the data sheet says: "

"Secondary neutral to ground bonding eliminates common mode noise, providing an isolated ground reference for sensitive equipment and an inexpensive alternative to the installation of dedicated circuits and site electrical upgrades." https://datasheet.octopart.com/IS1800HG-Tripp-Lite-datasheet-86786.pdf

Here’s the most current one being used for sale of the unit, says the same thing: https://datasheet.octopart.com/IS1800HG-Tripp-Lite-datasheet-8508521.pdf

(FWIW, the power switch/breaker on current production is not the green illuminated style but the black more enclosed breaker).

These are the same units being referred to as far as I can tell, based on model number. And that was borne out by my call with Tripplite tech before I bought the unit. In other words, the claims that the unit has a floating output (interchangeable terminology with ground?) are not borne out by the data sheet or my conversation with the manufacturer and the unit fits into what you described as a grounded system . Am I missing something obvious here? (Not being snarky)

Thanks for all the responses. Its technically a medical grade isolation line conditioner, an older version of this unit from TSi Power. They seem to use the term isolation transformer interchangeably.
http://www.tsipower.com/products/isolation-line-conditioners/indoor-isolation-line-conditioners

Looks like they only sell commercially.

I would think your isolation transformer would clean some of the grunge from the AC which would in return give you a darker background allowing you to hear more details within the music and perhaps deeper bass, provided you don’t overtax its rating. That’s what I experienced with my Xentek Extream Isolation Transformer (5 Kva) and weighed at least 100 pounds maybe more.

but the Tripplites that are hospital grade, such as the one I bought, the 1800HG claim hospital grade receptacles and talk about a floating ground (actually, ’floating AC output’) if you go to the Tripplite website. See
https://www.tripplite.com/isolator-series-120v-1800w-ul60601-1-medical-grade-isolation-transformer-6...

Bill, (whart),
An "Isolated Power System" does not float the ground. The output of the secondary winding floats above, (not electrically connected), the ground.

In the case of a plug and play "Isolated Power System" wired isolation transformer the wall outlet equipment ground is used for grounding of the metal enclosure of the transformer and is also connected to the equipment ground contact on the power output receptacle outlets. The floating output of the secondary winding does not have any reference whats so ever to the AC mains power equipment ground.


(Note: Same holds true for a hard wired Isolated Power System. Difference is with an Approved hard wired Isolated Power System the system is required by NEC code to have a monitor device that warns the trained qualified personnel when/if a ungrounded conductor of the system faults to ground. Trust me this feature is a must!)




From the link you provided.
https://www.tripplite.com/isolator-series-120v-1800w-ul60601-1-medical-grade-isolation-transformer-6....

Complete line isolation and noise filtering

Hospital-grade plug and receptacles

Lowers cumulative leakage current of connected equipment to under 100μA

Floating AC output prevents noise coupling

Features

• Offers line isolation and continuous noise filtering
• Internal low-impedance isolation transformer with Faraday shield offers 100% isolation from the input AC line
• Full UL 60601-1 medical-grade listing with hospital-grade plug and outlet receptacles for the protection of sensitive electronic equipment in patient-care areas
• Reduces cumulative leakage current of the Isolator and connected equipment to levels less than 100 μA

• Floating AC output prevents noise coupling from noisy hospital ground circuits and meets agency requirements

Whart said:

Here’s the most current one being used for sale of the unit, says the same thing: https://datasheet.octopart.com/IS1800HG-Tripp-Lite-datasheet-8508521.pdf

The unit is wired as a Grounded Power System.
From the Link:
"Secondary neutral-to-ground bonding virtually eliminates common mode noise, providing an isolated neutral-groundreference for sensitive equipment, and an inexpensive alternative to dedicated circuits and site electrical upgrades."

.

https://datasheet.octopart.com/IS1800HG-Tripp-Lite-datasheet-86786.pdf

"Secondary neutral to ground bonding eliminates common mode noise, providing an isolated ground reference for sensitive equipment and an inexpensive alternative to the installation of dedicated circuits and site electrical upgrades.

To me that says in the field (site) the Isolated Power Power System can easily be wired as a Grounded Power System. Which is true. A bonding jumper is installed from the secondary neutral conductor to the metal enclosure of the transformer.

Bill, probably the easiest way to find out if the unit is wired as an "Isolated Power System" or a "Grounded Power System" is with a plug in AC circuit/polarity tester.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Gear-3-Wire-Receptacle-Tester-50542/206212329?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%...

If the unit is wired as an Isolated Power System the tester will indicate an "OPEN GROUND". It may also indicate something else because the neutral is floating, I can’t remember for sure.

If the unit is wired as a Grounded Power System the tester will indicate "CORRECT"

Cheers,    
Jim
.

lak

3,554 posts    
04-11-2019 7:08am

I would think your isolation transformer would clean some of the grunge from the AC which would in return give you a darker background allowing you to hear more details within the music and perhaps deeper bass, provided you don’t overtax its rating. That’s what I experienced with my Xentek Extream Isolation Transformer (5 Kva) and weighed at least 100 pounds maybe more.

+1

Jim
.