How is using a 1:1 transformer safer than using the mains straight off? Is it because you can limit the current coming from the transformer whereas straight from the mains its not current limited? I fail to see how its "safer" when playing with electricity is dangerous. Could someone please explain why it is considered safer to be isolated by a transformer.
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\$\begingroup\$ I just wonder if you have the same situation using a isolating transformer in countries with IT-power system ? The earth is not directly referenced to either of the phases then. \$\endgroup\$– user38959Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 23:02
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\$\begingroup\$ @Safetyengineer Indeed, in an IT system, the whole electrical system is effectively behind an isolating transformer. Using an isolation transformer wouldn't give you any additional benefit, (assuming the IT system wiring is done properly) but wouldn't hurt either. \$\endgroup\$– nitro2k01Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 1:04
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2\$\begingroup\$ @nitro2k01 2 years on :-). With an isolating transformer users contacting one leg of the system are protected only if there are NO faults to ground on the leg they are NOT touching. If there is an existing fault in another piece of equipment the system is rendered unsafe. in an isolated IT power system an additional transformer protects users "behind" the transformer when there is already a fault on the system. If the main system is configured to detect and act on a fault then the additional protection ,ay not be 'needed'. \$\endgroup\$– Russell McMahon ♦Commented Feb 23, 2016 at 22:54
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4 Answers
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Without a transformer the live wire is live relative to ground. If you are at "ground" potential then touching the live wire makes you part of the return path.
{This image taken from an excellent discussion here
With a transformer the output voltage is not referenced to ground - see diagram (a) below. There is no "return path" so you could (stupidly) safely touch the "live " conductor and ground and not received a shock.
I say "stupidly" as, while this arrangement is safer it is not safe unconditionally. This is because, if there is leakage or hard connection from the other side of the transformer to ground then there may still be a return path - as shown in (b) above. In the diagram the return path is shown as either capacitive or direct. If the coupling is capacitive then you may feel a "tickle" or somewhat mild "bite" from the live conductor. If the other conductor is grounded then you are back to the original transformlerless situation. (Capacitive coupling may occur when an appliance body is connected to a conductor but there is no direct connection from body to ground. The body to ground proximity forms a capacitor.)
SO a transformer makes things safer by providing isolation relative to ground. Murphy / circumstance will work to defeat this isoation.
This is why, ideally, an isolating transformer should be used to protect only one item of equipment at a time. With one item a fault in the equipment will propbably not produce a dangerous situation. The transformer has done its job. BUT with N items of equipment - if one has a fault from neutral to case or is wired wrongly this may defeat the transformer such that a second faulty device may then present a hazard to the user. In figure (b) above, the first faulty device provides the link at bottom and the second provides the link at top.
Similarly:
answered Jul 27, 2011 at 22:47
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2\$\begingroup\$ Wonderful answer that should be textbook reading for understanding how current flows in an earthed and unearthed circuit. \$\endgroup\$– RichieHHCommented Sep 19, 2019 at 14:22
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Mains is referenced to earth ground: the same potential that you're standing on, that your workbench is at, that nearly anything you touch (that's not isolated) is at. It develops voltage with respect to those items.
After an isolation transformer, the earth ground reference is gone. If you touch the line side after the transformer, suddenly that becomes the reference for the whole system, and the neutral side (which you're not touching, and which would normally be safe) is a dangerous sinusoid with respect to earth ground. The important thing is that the point you touch is still safe.
However, touching both sides of the transformer simultaneously is just as dangerous as not using the transformer at all. Use one hand when working with high voltages.
answered Jul 27, 2011 at 22:23
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It is because using an isolation transformer means there is no connection between the earth and the live/neutral wires. You could handle one of the phase wires (as long as you don't handle the other) with no harm as it doesn't matter if you are earthed.
answered Jul 27, 2011 at 22:24
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1\$\begingroup\$ I think in these Qs it really needs to be explained WHY you could handle one wire IF it's not earthed as that seems to be the crux of the issue each and every time this is asked. \$\endgroup\$– RichieHHCommented Sep 19, 2019 at 14:25
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The key part is isolation from ground/earth where you are standing.
Remember electricity as a flow of electrons, the electrons are always busy looking for the shortest path to earth.
If you are not isolated you will be providing that path for them, thereby allowing electrons to flow through you to earth.
The transformer provide that isolation because there's no connection between primary and secondary.
You may also provide that isolation by wearing rubber shoes graded for electrical insulation.
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\$\begingroup\$ Chad - Hi, (a) As required by this site rule, when we include something in an answer (e.g. photo, image or text) which isn't our own original work, we need to properly reference (cite) it. Those images seem to have come from somewhere else, so in order to comply with that rule, can you edit your answer and add a link back to the original source web page for each image, please? Thanks! \$\endgroup\$– SamGibson ♦Commented Feb 16, 2021 at 14:03
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\$\begingroup\$ (b) You linked to your own YouTube channel. As explained here you must disclose that affiliation, which you didn't do. Unless there is a clear benefit for linking to (i.e. promoting) your own off-site resource, it's better not to do that as your answer might get treated as spam. It isn't clear what benefit that link adds, apart from promoting your channel (e.g. there isn't a specific timestamp on a specific video & an explanation of exactly what value that part of the video adds) so I have deleted that link as an undisclosed promotion. \$\endgroup\$– SamGibson ♦Commented Feb 16, 2021 at 14:03
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