Understanding Signal and Power Isolation Techniques (.PDF Download)

Electronic isolation is a means of preventing the transfer of direct current (dc) and unwanted alternating current (ac) between two parts of a system while still enabling signal and power transfer between those two parts. This kind of isolation is required in a number of instances, such as:

• Protecting industrial operators from high voltage.
• Protecting expensive processors and related circuits from high voltage.
• Preventing ground loops in communications networks.
• Improving noise immunity.
• Communicating with high-side devices in a motor drive or power-converter systems.

Industrial equipment that requires isolation includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor drives, medical equipment, solar inverters, electrical vehicles (EVs), and some special power supplies.

There’s a need for an efficient, affordable, and compact isolation solution for industrial equipment. A fully integrated signal and power isolation product that’s now available brings a number of benefits to system design, including reduced board space, ease of certification, and simpler design. This article introduces isolation methods and a modern integrated approach.