Galvanic isolation
The total electrical separation between the primary and the secondary.
Definition
Galvanic isolation is the absence of any direct electrical connection between two circuits: the energy passes only through the magnetic coupling, never through a common conductor. In a transformer with separate windings, the primary and the secondary are thus galvanically isolated.
This separation is a major safety function: it prevents the propagation of faults, eliminates leakage currents to earth on the secondary side and protects people against indirect contact. It also allows a new neutral arrangement to be created, independent of that of the upstream network.
Note: an autotransformer, which shares a common winding, does not provide galvanic isolation.
The ABL tip
For sensitive environments (medical, measurement, machinery) or to create a controlled neutral point, galvanic isolation is essential. ABL Transfo designs isolation transformers compliant with your sector’s safety requirements.
