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Old 14th Jul 2019, 4:37 pm   #3
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Default Re: Isolation/isolating transformers

No point penny pinching, buy a new one if you think it is necessary (RS, Farnell etc. do them for less then £200). Isolation transformers are not for safety (they can reduce it because you think you are safer) but for convenience, such as 'scoping a "live" chassis set or debugging large earth leakage problems. To the variac, handy but can still supply currents large enough to damage, the classic lamp limiter is better for vintage stuff (as long as we can still get classic lamps).

A bit OT, I have a "fan heater limiter" at work for the odd huge PSU with "it blows the mains" faults. Got a bit of bother from the safety people until I asked "how is this unsafe", no (sensible) reply.