Isolation transformer for capacitor dropped rectified 230VAC

[okw]

I've been looking at these dangerous 230V to (e.g.) 5V circuits consisting of a bridge rectifier and capacitor dropper.
They work OK with known and steady loads (like fans, LEDs, etc), where the user is cut-off any handling. A better way is of course to have a transformer to drop the voltage considerably before the bridge rectifier, but they're expensive and heavy, so I get why they rather use a cheap capacitor dropper.
How much safer would it make this circuit using a 1:1 isolation transformer after the dropper?
(Users would still be cut off handling the circuit.)
It's for running an MCU to control a TRIAC and a relay.

[Andy Chee]

If you're going to use a transformer in your design, then you don't need the capacitor dropper at all!

Just use a normal low voltage transformer, bridge rectifier & regulator to power the MCU!

[okw]

No, a 1:1 isolation transformer (230VAC in => 230VAC out).

[Andy Chee]

I understand that

I'm saying that compared with a 1:1 isolation transformer, it's cheaper and less heavier to use a low voltage transformer to power the MCU, and delete the capacitor dropper.

[squadchannel]

isolation transformers and regular transformers do not cost much different.
do not use capacitor droppers. want to make a low-cost product?

Design it with a 230V:9V transformer and a 7805.

[Andy Chee]

This schematic snippet shows you how to isolate your MCU by using a small transformer and optocoupled triac driver.

[m k]

A better way is of course to have a transformer to drop the voltage considerably before the bridge rectifier, but they're expensive and heavy

How much is heavy?