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Does an isolation transformer improve a power cable?

In a post dated 12/14, I described how I built my DIY AC power cables. In evaluating these new cables over the first 100 hours, I am hearing parts in music I did not know where there--instruments are standing out in sharp relief with a more robust dynamic and improved clarity. All of this is coming through via Furutech's Ohno Continuous Cast copper, a brand I am not here to promote--rather, it is the one I chose to obtain a legitimate OCC material. These cables are feeding two ARC Reference 210's, modifed to 250's. But, what appears to make as important a contribution is what is feeding the AC cables their current--a large 240V/120V isolation transformer weighing 120 pounds and supplying 4000 watts of work to all of my devices via six outlets on the back. What I am understanding is that this thing provides a more ideal supply of current that is independent of the rest of the house and its appliances and devices. With all that is said about power cables and what they can and cannot do, depending on one's beliefs about alternating current, i.e., what is upstream, how could it matter, what about the rest of the grid, the last six feet is important, etc, I suspect that, in using a true induction transformer in this manner, the last six feet is the only six feet in my power supply, and this is why these OCC cables sound so stunningly good. Is this the purest AC energy pathway possible?
jafreeman

Showing 5 responses by scvan

scvan
99 posts
 
Isolation transformers are used to isolate electronics/ devices from the primary source of power. The benefit of this is that the ground is now independent of everything else so ground loops can go away and short high spikes in electricity do not affect the other side.

In your use, you may be getting some positives from the ground loop issue. Also if you have "dirty" electricity with a high frequency noise in it that is probably being filtered out. A transformer is basically two inductors with a iron loop connecting them to pass the field. At high frequencies inductors act as resistors.

So based on the cable you are using I think you believe in the need for quick clean power to your amp to deal with the high frequency shifts caused by power changes on the power supply in your amp. An isolation transformer will most likely do the opposite, it will not allow the amps power supply to fluctuate quickly.

If you want really clean power that is isolated you would need a bunch of batteries and a really good inverter, much like you see in many high end solar projects.
scvan
99 posts
 
I am getting at is that, if this is a truly isolating transformer, then there is nothing upstream of it--forget about the house and all the big appliances.

No.... If you have a drag on your power system, like a big appliance you will have the same drag on the other side of the transformer. The electricity is not made at the transformer it just isolates it from the other side.
If you want to eliminate the reactive noise coming back up the ground you can lift the ground. I don't recommend doing it long though.

As stated above by another poster, these sorts of things are really used in hospitals, industrial use and labs that need to protect incredibly sensitive electronics.
Remember, in your amp there is already a transformer so theoretically your rails are already separated from the electrical mains. And those transformers are typically balanced out so you are getting those same effects of cancellation already.
scvan
99 posts
 
I wonder if anyone has converted 3 phase to a home use 120 line like this. I suppose that would even give better quality AC.

Just to be a bit of naysayer/ clarifier the transformer does not "create" electricity as I have stated before. It is just isolating you from the grid from "quick" spikes and drops, any long term spike or drop will effect the other side of the transformer.

The best way for clean AC is to have your own method of developing the AC signal from either using the grid power to DC and then back to AC or from off the grid sources as in solar and wind. The last two are becoming quite popular and should be able to create amazingly clean power (based on the inverter)
scvan
99 posts
 
Jea48,

You are smarter than that. You know the definition of created.

If the voltage on the supply side drops it drops on the other side of a transformer. It isolated electricity it doesn't create it.

One side of the transformer has an electromagnet on it that created a field that oscillates at 60 hz. That field is transfered by the core to another set of wires that the field is inducted to. If electricity was truly being created, it would violate the first law of thermodynamics.

Definition of a transformer:
A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction.
Transfer, not creation...

Isolation transformers block transmission of the DC component in signals from one circuit to the other, but allow AC components in signals to pass
hmmm... so if I have an AC noise or change in AC voltage will the isolation transformer let it pass or will it always be a perfect sinewave?

And for those that are excited about the idea of a balanced isolation transformer, from the NEC:
647.3 General. Use of a separately derived 120-volt single-phase 3-wire system with 60 volts on each of two ungrounded conductors to a grounded neutral conductor shall be permitted for the purpose of reducing objectionable noise in sensitive electronic equipment locations provided that the following conditions apply.

(1) The system is installed only in commercial or industrial occupancies.
scvan
99 posts
 
Jea,

Weird because this is what you stated?
An isolation transformer creates a new separately derived AC power system that is independent from the mains power of your home's AC power system.

Maybe I misread it....
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