In industrial electrical systems, there are many kinds of equipment that draw heavy currents, form complex circuits, or whose function relies on good power quality. By power quality, we mean that the equipment gets the right voltage, correct frequency and waveform and a continuous supply. They are sensitive to electrical noise, transient voltages, and ground loops. The electrical isolation transformer manufacturers address these problems. This transformer is unique in terms of its function and application in industry.
How Isolation Transformer Works
In an isolation transformer, the primary and secondary windings are separated by galvanic isolation. As it happens by electromagnetic induction, the alternating voltage in the primary winding produces alternating magnetic flux in the secondary. This is how power is transferred without conductive current flow. In applications that require a high level of common-mode noise elimination, there is an additional electrostatic shield in the isolation transformers.
Uses of Electrical Isolation Transformers
- CNC Machines and Machine Tools
The operation of CNC machines relies on servo and spindle drives, control devices, encoders, and other electronic components. Any disturbance in supply and electrical noise can cause issues in these systems.
Isolation transformers can be an efficient means of providing supply to machine circuits in an electrically isolated manner.
- PLC and Industrial Automation Systems
PLC system usually operates in tandem with motors, contactors, variable speed drives, and switching equipment. The loads present in this system can lead to conducted disturbances that can affect the performance of the control circuits.
Isolation transformers can be used to provide supply to the PLC panel, and also the instrumentation circuits when electrical separation is desired.
- Variable Frequency Drive Systems
VFDs operate with the help of high-speed switching of motor speeds. The switching creates high-frequency electrical components, which can be responsible for providing common-mode currents and conducted EMI.
The isolation transformers should be used upstream of the drive systems in order to provide electrical isolation.
- Industrial Instrumentation
Measurement systems and the instrumentation work with weak signals, which are easily affected by electrical interference. Voltage differences between the equipment grounds lead to errors in measurement circuits.
Advantages of Electrical Isolation Transformers
Galvanic Isolation
The primary and secondary circuits are kept isolated electrically. Thus, no direct conductive path is created between the incoming electricity and the isolated load circuit.
Common-Mode Noise Reduction
An isolation transformer can mitigate the transmission of various common-mode disturbances between the source and load. The amount of interference reduction depends on transformer construction, the arrangement of the coils, shielding, frequency, and the type of disturbance.
Control Over Grounding Systems
The isolated secondary circuit permits the establishment of the grounding system independently as per the needs of the specific system.
Isolation from Transients
The isolation transformer provides some isolation from disturbance produced on the primary side. The effectiveness of the transformer regarding transients depends on its design, inductance of the leakage, capacitance of the coils, shielding, and nature of the disturbance.
Better Supply Conditions for Sensitive Loads
If the isolation transformer has been selected correctly, it can provide better electrical conditions for sensitive equipment.
Conclusion
An electrical isolation transformer is a crucial element in industrial power systems requiring galvanic isolation, controlled grounding, and suppression of certain electrical disturbances. The selection of the right electrical isolation transformer manufacturers is based on kVA capacity, voltage ratio, impedance, insulation characteristics, harmonic load, surge current, temperature rise, and electrical characteristics of the load.
Servokon Systems Limited supplies isolation and ultra-isolation transformers that can be effectively integrated with grounding, filtering, and surge protection.
