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Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: spudboy488 on September 12, 2017, 08:05:06 pm

Title: AC Socket Tester and Isolation transformer
Post by: spudboy488 on September 12, 2017, 08:05:06 pm
I need to put together a tester to verify the wiring of a relay circuit to switch 120VAC. I was going to use one of those AC Socket Testers (the ones that verify ground/load/neutral connections) as the check on the output side. For safety, I was going to use an isolation transformer on the input side. The ground is common and the input is obviously isolated from the output. Before I spend the $$ for the transformer, can someone here verify that a socket tester will work in this configuration?

120VAC -> Isolation Xfmr -> Relay contacts -> 120VAC Socket Tester

Common ground throughout.

Thanks.
Title: Re: AC Socket Tester and Isolation transformer
Post by: ez24 on September 12, 2017, 08:48:46 pm
I saw a YT video where he disconnected the ground wire inside the transformer to make it a real isolation.  Sorry I cannot remember the video.  I think using a 3-wire isolation transformer leads to false sense of security because of the grounds.  In his video he showed the danger.  I think it was by a member.  Occasionally I bid on a 2-wire isolation transformer so I do not have to disconnect wires.  This will be a topic for the YT List  :-+  I am always on the lookout for a topic.

Maybe someone remembers the video.

Title: Re: AC Socket Tester and Isolation transformer
Post by: jh15 on September 16, 2017, 05:30:40 am
Did that also lift the Faraday shield to the core?
Title: Re: AC Socket Tester and Isolation transformer
Post by: David Hess on September 16, 2017, 02:13:49 pm
It will not work unless ground is passed through and neutral on the isolated side is connected to ground.  I tested it on mine and it showed "open ground" whether ground was connected or not because neutral was not grounded.  The neutral indicator was lit and the ground indicator was flickering.