[Test-Equipment] Mains protection for work bench test equipment?

[J Forster]

Isolation transformers, with ultra low primary to secondary caacitance, will
help a lot with common mode spikes, but all transformers just pass differential
mode spikes. Core saturation does not help  because the the VdT integral is not
large enough in most spikes to saturate the core.

Best,
-John



Brian A Clarke wrote:

>  This belief that a transformer reduces conducted spikes should be cast in
> the bin.
>
>  Sure, there will be some voltage rise transferred as a result of the turns
> ratio, but most modern transformer manufacturers are governed by accountants
> and so there is very little headroom before onset of core saturation and the
> end of spike induction.
>
>  Damaging spikes are transferred by capacitive effects between the windings
> and completely bypass the turns ratio effect.
>
>  If you want to suppress mains-borne spikes, get 'em before they get into
> your house. Don't rely on assurances from power distributors that their pole
> pigs provide suppression.
>
>  73 de Brian, VK2GCE.