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Discussion of AC mains isolation transformers


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Thanks for the diagram, that helps immensely.

 

The only leakage loop you should have left is DAC to power amp which goes through the power conditioner. BUT the digital stuff also goes through the power conditioner.

 

Contrary to all "it makes sense to me" thoughts on the subject the way cut down on leakage loop noise with the DAC and pre/power amps is to have the tightest coupling you can get in the AC domain. Since a leakage loop goes through the AC main the higher the impedance in the mains side the higher the noise voltage generated between the boxes. I know the power conditioner is trying to suppress noise on the mains, but the methods frequently used actually increase the impedance between outlets thus increasing the noise from leakage loops.

 

So to test this hypothesis, try taking the power conditioner out of the system and just use a very simple power strip, no filters, nothing fancy, just outlets connected by wires. This will give a very low impedance between the AC to each power supply, which should cut down on the noise generated by leakage loops. Everything you now have connected to the power conditioner should go into the simple power strip, including all the digital stuff.

 

In combination with the LPS-1 and other leakage loop breaking devices doing this can really make a big difference. I did this in my system (replaced a $1k power conditioner with a $35 power strip and Topaz isolation transformer) and it made a significant improvement is SQ.

 

Thanks,

 

John S.

 

I'm learning so much about system noise on this forum. Makes me want to sell my flashy $1000 power conditioner for a cheap strip and a good isolation transformer.

 

 

John, what’s the role and benefit of an isolation transformer, in an audio context?

 

 

Am I right, that this plugs into your wall and you plug a powerstrip into the isolation transformer? Apologies for the silly question. This is a new world for me.

 

 

In Australia we have 240V power supply (or 230V) at the wall. If choosing an isolation transformer, do I would want something like a 2000watt transformer (minimum), delivering an 8amp current? Power boards are rated at 10amp max current here in Australia.

 

 

I'm looking to get my system optimised before LPS-1 arrives in November - I’ve just made my order :-)

 

But other than just the LPS-1, I'm looking to improve the system generally.

 

 

Many thanks in advance

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I'm learning so much about system noise on this forum. Makes me want to sell my flashy $1000 power conditioner for a cheap strip and a good isolation transformer.

 

 

John, what’s the role and benefit of an isolation transformer, in an audio context?

 

 

Am I right, that this plugs into your wall and you plug a powerstrip into the isolation transformer? Apologies for the silly question. This is a new world for me.

 

 

In Australia we have 240V power supply (or 230V) at the wall. If choosing an isolation transformer, do I would want something like a 2000watt transformer (minimum), delivering an 8amp current? Power boards are rated at 10amp max current here in Australia.

 

 

I'm looking to get my system optimised before LPS-1 arrives in November - I’ve just made my order :-)

 

But other than just the LPS-1, I'm looking to improve the system generally.

 

 

Many thanks in advance

 

Something like this 2000 watt medical iso transformer even discusses leakage currents and already has 6 outlets which is sufficient for my system:

 

Medical Isolation Transformer IEC 601 and UL 544 Standard for Medical Instruments Australia

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I'm learning so much about system noise on this forum. Makes me want to sell my flashy $1000 power conditioner for a cheap strip and a good isolation transformer.

 

 

John, what’s the role and benefit of an isolation transformer, in an audio context?

 

 

Am I right, that this plugs into your wall and you plug a powerstrip into the isolation transformer? Apologies for the silly question. This is a new world for me.

 

 

In Australia we have 240V power supply (or 230V) at the wall. If choosing an isolation transformer, do I would want something like a 2000watt transformer (minimum), delivering an 8amp current? Power boards are rated at 10amp max current here in Australia.

 

 

I'm looking to get my system optimised before LPS-1 arrives in November - I’ve just made my order :-)

 

But other than just the LPS-1, I'm looking to improve the system generally.

 

 

Many thanks in advance

 

The isolation transformer I'm using is a Topaz model, it is a very special transformer. It has extremely low inter-winding capacitance (.005pf according to the manufacturer). Most transformers have two mechanisms that transfer AC from one side to the other: magnetic and capacitive. The magnetic part is low frequency (it is what the 50/60Hz mains signal uses) and the capacitive is high frequency. The combination means that a "normal" transformer lets a lot of high frequency crud through.

 

With its extremely low capacitiance the Topaz doesn't pass the high frequency crud on the AV main, just the base line frequency and a couple harmonics. Thus it is a very effective noise filter.

 

In addition it is a very good surge suppressor as well. Most of the energy in high power surges is contained in high frequency components, which get suppressed by the low capacitance, thus it is quite an effective surge suppressor without needing any other special circuits to achieve this.

 

This isolation transformer keeps noise and surges from the rest of your house and neighborhood out of your audio system and fully preserves your safety ground.

 

Yes you are correct about the application, the Topaz plugs into the wall, the power strip plugs into it.

 

My recommendation is to use a simple power strip with NO filtering or surge suppression, the Topaz does it much better than what will come in almost any power strip. I plug EVERYTHING into thepower strip. This dramatically cuts down on the impedance between boxes, significantly lowering noise generated by leakage loops.

 

Some people will say "but then the noise injected back into the AC mains can go right into other boxes". Yes it can. BUT recent experiments have been pointing to the leakage loops being a significantly greater detriment to ultimate good sound than the injected noise. Of course different systems are different and this may not be true in all systems, but it is looking like this is a good place to start for many systems.

 

John S.

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Something like this 2000 watt medical iso transformer even discusses leakage currents and already has 6 outlets which is sufficient for my system:

 

Medical Isolation Transformer IEC 601 and UL 544 Standard for Medical Instruments Australia

 

The medical transformers may not have very low capacitance between windings, their leakage current is usually speced between winding and ground NOT winding to winding.

 

The leakage current I have been talking about is winding to winding, not winding to ground. So just because something is "medical" it may not be doing much good for the leakage currents I'm talking about. The MAY be very good, they may not.

 

John S.

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The medical transformers may not have very low capacitance between windings, their leakage current is usually speced between winding and ground NOT winding to winding.

 

The leakage current I have been talking about is winding to winding, not winding to ground. So just because something is "medical" it may not be doing much good for the leakage currents I'm talking about. The MAY be very good, they may not.

 

John S.

 

Thanks John

 

In terms of earthing, if an iso transformer stated the following, would you avoid it for audio applications: "Earthing is NOT carried to Outlet Socket, Hence Isolated and Floating."

 

Would you prefer to see Earthing IS carried to the outlet?

 

 

 

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The isolation transformer I'm using is a Topaz model, it is a very special transformer. It has extremely low inter-winding capacitance (.005pf according to the manufacturer). Most transformers have two mechanisms that transfer AC from one side to the other: magnetic and capacitive. The magnetic part is low frequency (it is what the 50/60Hz mains signal uses) and the capacitive is high frequency. The combination means that a "normal" transformer lets a lot of high frequency crud through.

 

John S.

 

How big, John? About 1 kVA for a stereo with PC system?

(JRiver) Jetway barebones NUC (mod 3 sCLK-EX, Cybershaft OP 14)  (PH SR7) => mini pcie adapter to PCIe 1X => tXUSBexp PCIe card (mod sCLK-EX) (PH SR7) => (USPCB) Chord DAVE => Omega Super 8XRS/REL t5i  (All powered thru Topaz Isolation Transformer)

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My recommendation is to use a simple power strip with NO filtering or surge suppression, the Topaz does it much better than what will come in almost any power strip. I plug EVERYTHING into thepower strip. This dramatically cuts down on the impedance between boxes, significantly lowering noise generated by leakage loops.

 

Some people will say "but then the noise injected back into the AC mains can go right into other boxes". Yes it can. BUT recent experiments have been pointing to the leakage loops being a significantly greater detriment to ultimate good sound than the injected noise. Of course different systems are different and this may not be true in all systems, but it is looking like this is a good place to start for many systems.

 

Doesn't the power strip in that case have its Earth rail acting like a star-ground for all the devices? Is that what is helping with the current leakage issue?

 

Furthermore, are the leakage currents the same things as the supposed currents circulating when two chassis of connected gear aren't at equi-potential?

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Run away from which?

Earthing is NOT carried to the outlet socket?

Or earthing IS carried to the outlet?

And may I kindly ask why? :-)

Many thanks in advance.

 

I would avoid that transformer for plugging in anything.

 

The incoming safety earth that comes from the wall must <-- (by many rules on this planet, maybe Russia/China is exception) be connected to the outgoing circuit of the isolation transformer, straight passthrough, no filtering of any kind. This is a safety requirement.

 

These days, the output of the Isolation transformer must be protected by a RCD/GFCI, since the neutral connection to ground/earth is lost when the isolation transformer is used. If there is an imbalance on the output between line and neutral, the upstream RCD/GFCI can't see the problem.

 

I'm surprised by Tortech that the earth is not connected. I bet that 3rd pin is connected to earth.

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I would avoid that transformer for plugging in anything.

 

The incoming safety earth that comes from the wall must <-- (by many rules on this planet, maybe Russia/China is exception) be connected to the outgoing circuit of the isolation transformer, straight passthrough, no filtering of any kind. This is a safety requirement.

 

These days, the output of the Isolation transformer must be protected by a RCD/GFCI, since the neutral connection to ground/earth is lost when the isolation transformer is used. If there is an imbalance on the output between line and neutral, the upstream RCD/GFCI can't see the problem.

 

I'm surprised by Tortech that the earth is not connected. I bet that 3rd pin is connected to earth.

 

Hi mate, the one I linked above does have earthing to the outlet, here again: Medical Isolation Transformer IEC 601 and UL 544 Standard for Medical Instruments Australia

 

Tortech confirmed to me that the medical version has earthing to the outlet,

 

whereas the standard (which you linked) does say "Earthing is NOT carried to Outlet Socket, Hence Isolated and Floating"

 

But like you say, perhaps it's not written clearly

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How big, John? About 1 kVA for a stereo with PC system?

 

Rule of thumb : (Sum all Watts, VA of audio equipment) / 0.6 = VA of isolation transformer.

 

Watts = Volts x Amps x power factor. VA = Volts x Amps. The 0.6 derating is for the lumpy currents that amps especially draw. Middle Atlantic have guides for more accurate determination of what amps can draw depending on the music content.

 

Peak. The maximum power drawn by an amp is written on the nameplate. In rare cases, there might be a peak rating.

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Hi mate, the one I linked above does have earthing to the outlet, here again: Medical Isolation Transformer IEC 601 and UL 544 Standard for Medical Instruments Australia

 

Tortech confirmed to me that the medical version has earthing to the outlet,

 

whereas the standard (which you linked) does say "Earthing is NOT carried to Outlet Socket, Hence Isolated and Floating"

 

But like you say, perhaps it's not written clearly

 

There you go, if you are testing something, then in some cases the AC needs no reference to earth, but not audio equipment.

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There you go, if you are testing something, then in some cases the AC needs no reference to earth, but not audio equipment.

Ah righto, so in this case the only option is the medical version - you'd avoid the standard version?

 

Theyre supposed to be well built, some others have said over on StereoNet.

 

 

 

Sent from my Blackberry DTEK50 using Tapatalk

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The medical transformers may not have very low capacitance between windings, their leakage current is usually speced between winding and ground NOT winding to winding.

 

The leakage current I have been talking about is winding to winding, not winding to ground. So just because something is "medical" it may not be doing much good for the leakage currents I'm talking about. The MAY be very good, they may not.

 

John S.

 

Hi John, this iso transformer linked below stipulates: "Double insulated windings ensure a galvanic physical separationbetween input and output as well as holding theleakage current below the stipulated maximumvalue."

 

http://www.noratel.com/fileadmin/content/products/medical/imed/IMEDe.pdf

 

Assuming they mean galvanic isolation between input and output windings, then is this galvanic isolation more in line with leakage currents you discuss for audio applications?

 

Thanks again

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The isolation transformer I'm using is a Topaz model, it is a very special transformer. It has extremely low inter-winding capacitance (.005pf according to the manufacturer). Most transformers have two mechanisms that transfer AC from one side to the other: magnetic and capacitive. The magnetic part is low frequency (it is what the 50/60Hz mains signal uses) and the capacitive is high frequency. The combination means that a "normal" transformer lets a lot of high frequency crud through.

 

With its extremely low capacitiance the Topaz doesn't pass the high frequency crud on the AV main, just the base line frequency and a couple harmonics. Thus it is a very effective noise filter.

 

In addition it is a very good surge suppressor as well. Most of the energy in high power surges is contained in high frequency components, which get suppressed by the low capacitance, thus it is quite an effective surge suppressor without needing any other special circuits to achieve this.

 

This isolation transformer keeps noise and surges from the rest of your house and neighborhood out of your audio system and fully preserves your safety ground.

 

Yes you are correct about the application, the Topaz plugs into the wall, the power strip plugs into it.

 

My recommendation is to use a simple power strip with NO filtering or surge suppression, the Topaz does it much better than what will come in almost any power strip. I plug EVERYTHING into thepower strip. This dramatically cuts down on the impedance between boxes, significantly lowering noise generated by leakage loops.

 

Some people will say "but then the noise injected back into the AC mains can go right into other boxes". Yes it can. BUT recent experiments have been pointing to the leakage loops being a significantly greater detriment to ultimate good sound than the injected noise. Of course different systems are different and this may not be true in all systems, but it is looking like this is a good place to start for many systems.

 

John S.

 

Hello John

 

Can you share with model of TOPAZ you are referring to?

 

Thanks!

 

Miki

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Ah righto, so in this case the only option is the medical version - you'd avoid the standard version?

 

Theyre supposed to be well built, some others have said over on StereoNet.

Sent from my Blackberry DTEK50 using Tapatalk

 

If you are going to Tortech, get one of these. The one sore point is that they don't mention the output balance regulation, which is important. They use NTC thermistors for soft power, a power company's auto-recloser will make mince meat of them.

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If you are going to Tortech, get one of these. The one sore point is that they don't mention the output balance regulation, which is important. They use NTC thermistors for soft power, a power company's auto-recloser will make mince meat of them.

 

Thanks for that, I was going to contact Toratech about that.

 

I asked Noratel about the inter-winding capacitance for their 2kVA medical class iso transformer and they replied 1500 pF.

 

Seems like a Topaz (or Elgar?) is the way to go - there aren't many ultra low coupling capacitance iso transformers that I can find on Google.

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The isolation transformer I'm using is a Topaz model, it is a very special transformer. It has extremely low inter-winding capacitance (.005pf according to the manufacturer). Most transformers have two mechanisms that transfer AC from one side to the other: magnetic and capacitive. The magnetic part is low frequency (it is what the 50/60Hz mains signal uses) and the capacitive is high frequency. The combination means that a "normal" transformer lets a lot of high frequency crud through.

 

With its extremely low capacitiance the Topaz doesn't pass the high frequency crud on the AV main, just the base line frequency and a couple harmonics. Thus it is a very effective noise filter.

 

In addition it is a very good surge suppressor as well. Most of the energy in high power surges is contained in high frequency components, which get suppressed by the low capacitance, thus it is quite an effective surge suppressor without needing any other special circuits to achieve this.

 

This isolation transformer keeps noise and surges from the rest of your house and neighborhood out of your audio system and fully preserves your safety ground.

 

Yes you are correct about the application, the Topaz plugs into the wall, the power strip plugs into it.

 

My recommendation is to use a simple power strip with NO filtering or surge suppression, the Topaz does it much better than what will come in almost any power strip. I plug EVERYTHING into thepower strip. This dramatically cuts down on the impedance between boxes, significantly lowering noise generated by leakage loops.

 

Some people will say "but then the noise injected back into the AC mains can go right into other boxes". Yes it can. BUT recent experiments have been pointing to the leakage loops being a significantly greater detriment to ultimate good sound than the injected noise. Of course different systems are different and this may not be true in all systems, but it is looking like this is a good place to start for many systems.

 

John S.

 

Hi John, a few people on other forums have commented that their Topaz hums, but an Elgar (also with a coupling capacitance of 0.005pF) doesn't. This humming that they speak of, does it contribute to electrical noise at all to music playback or is it purely just a faint audible hum that doesn't affect the sound quality at all?

 

Thanks again

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Hi John, a few people on other forums have commented that their Topaz hums, but an Elgar (also with a coupling capacitance of 0.005pF) doesn't. This humming that they speak of, does it contribute to electrical noise at all to music playback or is it purely just a faint audible hum that doesn't affect the sound quality at all?

 

Thanks again

 

Yes my Topaz hums a little, it is an acoustic Hum (the output is 60Hz AC which of course is the ultimate hum!). I built a box around it with some pillows for now. It does get a little warm so you have to be careful with thermal management.

 

Without the box I can hear it when I am standing near it, from the listening position I can just barely hear it with no music playing at 3AM when the house is very quiet. The refrigerator running a couple rooms away is much louder.

 

John S.

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Yes my Topaz hums a little, it is an acoustic Hum (the output is 60Hz AC which of course is the ultimate hum!). I built a box around it with some pillows for now. It does get a little warm so you have to be careful with thermal management.

 

Without the box I can hear it when I am standing near it, from the listening position I can just barely hear it with no music playing at 3AM when the house is very quiet. The refrigerator running a couple rooms away is much louder.

 

John S.

 

Thanks heaps. PS: you should be in bed at 3am John not listening to the Topaz ! :-)

 

Sent from my Blackberry DTEK50 using Tapatalk

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Yes my Topaz hums a little, it is an acoustic Hum (the output is 60Hz AC which of course is the ultimate hum!). I built a box around it with some pillows for now. It does get a little warm so you have to be careful with thermal management.

 

Without the box I can hear it when I am standing near it, from the listening position I can just barely hear it with no music playing at 3AM when the house is very quiet. The refrigerator running a couple rooms away is much louder.

 

John S.

 

Hi John, I found an Elgar 2.5kVA iso trans that's a few hundred dollars cheaper than the ones on eBay that are willing to ship to Australia. And I've found a local electrician (who also designed his own smaller iso trannies) who's happy to make it suitable for Australian operation (an IEC inlet and Australian 3-pin outlet) and check the safety etc.

 

The specified coupling capacitance is even lower than your Topaz at 0.0005 pF !!

 

Check out the manual here, where they discuss the use of Faraday shielding and other things: http://www.programmablepower.com/products/Discontinued/Downloads/HIT%20Series%20-%20High%20Isolation%20Transformers.pdf

 

What are you thoughts? Are there any areas where your Topaz would be better or overall are they much the same, i.e. both very very good for audio applications?

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