Re: Isolation Transformer

pfjw@xxxxxxx said:

<snips>

>The presumption is that other than for testing, you would not
>ordinarily put a piece of properly working equipment on your bench,
>excepting 'regular maintenance'. So, given that you have a piece of
>equipment that has failed in some way, even if you can clearly identify
>the primary failure, the entirety should be treated as suspect, and the
>standard diagnostic survey performed "just in case".


Besides being a tube audio hobbyist, I do some repairs on audio gear
every now and then.
Not a single item is connected to the mains before it is opened first
and checked for shorts, faulty mains filter caps et al.

And yes, I do have a ground-leak circuit breaker on each of the 4-fold
sockets on the bench.

One hand in the back pocket etc.etc. :-)

But you're right, safety requires that every device should be
connected via an isolation transformer.
The trouble is, my scope is also on it, and measurements may get
distorted when both are connected to the same isolated outlet.


>Good light. Really.
>Enough space. As important as good light.
>Properly maintained instruments. Like dull screwdrivers or blunt
>knives, more injuries from poor instruments than from good ones.
>Patience. Have a plan, be systematic. Keep notes. Take digital photos,
>don't forget where you are and what you did.
>Use first-class repair parts. Doing it correctly once is infinitely
>cheaper than doing it over due to a cheap-part failure.

>And so forth.


Afreed on all points, yhis is also my modus operandi.

Oh, and never blindly believe what your digital meter says just
because it is a digital meter :-)

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005
.