5 ms·
A true isolation transformer has an earthed copper shield wound in between and physically separating the primary from secondary windings, anything less is unsaf
by basicplus2 11y ago
A true isolation transformer has an earthed copper shield wound in between and physically separating the primary from secondary windings, anything less is unsafe.
One of the many reasons I detest "double insulated" equipment, as it is impossible to determine if it has been designed for safety or not without ripping it apart and destroying it.
This is a real issue in Australia as our regulators do no regulating and most equipment I have investigated does not comply with Australian Standards even though manufacturers lie and put standards compliance numbers on them.
Also the Australian Standards should be considered an absolute Minimum not "super safe".
- mavhc 11y agoDoes the Australian Standards body require that devices are sent to them for testing? Then there could be a database you could check as to whether a device has passed.
- basicplus2 11y agotechnically yes.. but it is not enforced
- basicplus2 10y agoI should also add that if you are an Australian manufacturer, you have to submit your product for testing for design compliance and you won't last long if you dont, but importers can import anything with none, yet another impediment to Australian manufacturing.
- eterm 11y agoIf you're worried you can order 2 at the same time and then rip one of them apart. It's an expensive solution but it should give peace of mind.
- krisoft 11y agoBut would it give peace of mind really? Right in the linked video. It would seem the widget is properly designed, it has a thick separation gap between the two sides on the pcb. It would seem, that you could test 10 of these and they are all fine, and the 11th kills you. Or is that transformer design obviously unsafe?
- irremediable 11y agoWhat about ordering things that are also UL/CSA-approved? Lots of electronics sold in the EU have their CE mark, but also list their UL/cUL/CSA approval.
- raverbashing 11y agoCE as in "China Export"? http://siloscordoba.com/2013/07/09/china-export-is-not-ce-a-symbol-to-cause-confusion/ http://siloscordoba.com/2013/07/09/china-export-is-not-ce-a-...
- irremediable 10y agoHehe, I don't know whether CSA/UL/cUL are faked as often though -- I think you can even look up the certification record to check it matches the product.
- lucaspiller 11y ago> even though manufacturers lie and put standards compliance numbers on them The CE marking in Europe is the same (in most cases). It just means that the manufacturer declares it is compliant, not that it has been approved and tested by anyone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CE_marking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CE_marking
- calgoo 10y agoI found that at least in the past, the S markings from Sweden where quite good. Now, I have not been back for 20 years so no idea if it still valid...
- voltagex_ 10y agoHow much would you charge me to do teardowns / tests of a few chargers?