Isolation transformer question

@testpilot I'm skeptical there's any benefit if the equipment you're using has a competent grounding scheme. You always have the issue of pushing any isolation transformer past 50% of its rating- that does not change with balanced power.

A good balanced transformer will have an electrostatic shield which any good regular isolation transformer will too; electrostatic shielding is a really good thing- it prevents capacitive coupling between the primary and secondary windings, which in turn vastly reduces high frequency noise from getting through. I'm curious if this might actually be a larger portion of the 'benefit' people perceive when they go to balanced power.

@clustrocasual Isolation transformers are incapable of cleaning up AC power. They can provide isolation, which is useful for solving ground loop problems, but they can actually add to AC power distortion.

It is AC power distortion which causes some of the ills that people seek to solve with conditioners. In particular, the 5th harmonic of the AC line (so 300Hz in the US) causes power transformers to become noisy, power rectifiers to radiate noise and synchronous motors more likely to run in the wrong direction; all with greater heat.

If you run any transformer past 50% of its rating, the distortion will rise and things like the 5th harmonic show up. Here's a nice link to show you what goes on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonics_(electrical_power)