Isolation Transformers

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
.

Jim- thanks, easy enough to test and thanks for wading through my post. 

I moved this unit in my second system where I don’t have a dedicated AC line but I also added Aric’s tube preamp to the mix and changed the amp’s power cord around the same time. The system is dead quiet and the bass is decent but I attributed most of that to the preamp and the power cord. I may try doing a comparison with the unit out of the loop using a power strip instead to see if I hear a difference.
Thanks again for all the responses.

It's a balanced power provider with a little surge and noise protection added.

:)

Nothing wrong with it, but it's' not going to regulate voltage.

Best,
E