Isolation transformers output voltage higher than wall


I have two iso trannies that both show 125 volts output when the input from the wall is 121 volts.  Is 125 volts potentially damaging to audio equipment or is this in the normal acceptable range? 

jc4659

Hey,

Trannies often are wound so the input to output is a little more than 1 to 1 when no load is applied. This is to compensate for inefficiencies that happen under load.

That is, with no connected devices it’s 1:1.05 but when the load is applied the output voltage will drop to around 1:1.

Acceptable AC voltage range in the US is 110V to 126V.

I have been in an apartment in San Francisco with 130V and PG&E did rebalance their loads to bring that down in a couple of weeks.  They said it was safe but not ideal.

Personally I notice a daily variance of 15V and use a voltage regulator as the front end of my audio conditioner chain. This happens even without the stereo being on or the heat pumps engaged. The VR keeps my voltage consistently between 117 and 122, regardless of the appliances or stereo state.

 

https://amzn.to/3IrSpXX

erik_squires

Acceptable AC voltage range in the US is 110V to 126V.

That is mistaken. Nominal US voltage is 120VAC, most states regulate that at ±5 percent, so the range is between about 114VAC to 126VAC. That's actually explained in the link you provided, which also has other useful info.

Thank you both as the information is helpful.

@erik_squires Does it make sense to place an isolation transformer between the AC receptacle and a Furman Pst-8 which has all my digital gear plugged into it?  Secondly, should digital that use LPS still be on the "digital side" with other switching supplies or separated from them? I'd be interested in your thoughts on this. Thanks!