What is the primary purpose of an isolation transformer?

The primary purpose of an isolation transformer is to separate different sections of a circuit for safety and noise reduction. Isolation transformers are designed to provide electrical isolation between the input and output sides while allowing power to pass through. This isolation helps protect sensitive equipment from noise and interference in the electrical system, improving performance and reliability.

Additionally, the safety aspect is significant; the isolation helps prevent electrical shock hazards by isolating the secondary circuit from direct contact with the mains supply. This can be particularly important in medical applications or sensitive electronic equipment, where electrical interference or faults can have severe consequences.

In contrast, enhancing power supply efficiency is not the primary function of an isolation transformer, as its primary role centers around safety and interference mitigation. Similarly, while transformers can be used to adjust voltage levels, isolation transformers do not increase voltage for long-distance transmission; this function is typically associated with step-up transformers. Lastly, converting alternating current to direct current is the job of a rectifier, not an isolation transformer, since isolation transformers maintain the AC nature of the power supply.