Isolation Amplifiers

What are Isolation Amplifiers?

An isolation amplifier is a piece of electrical equipment that is specifically manufactured to calculate the minute current and signals' voltage in the availability of high potential voltage. They also provide Electrical Safety measures and electrical isolation of the device. These amplifiers are differential in the sense that they accurately operate the data acquisition devices from standard mode voltages, which makes a great distinction between instrument ground and signal ground. 

What to consider for the correct Isolation Amplifier?

In the industry, two types of isolation amplifiers are available. The selection criteria depends on many scenarios and customer requirements where one is ranked over another and includes:

• Single-ended, floating common

This is an isolated, quasi-balanced input (the differential amplifier's (-) input that is normally connected to the floating common). Up to the isolation barrier's breakdown voltage, it is suitable for off-ground measurements and has excellent common mode rejection (100 dB typical).

• Differential, floating common

This type is a balanced and isolated input. It has excellent common mode rejection (>120 dB) and is suitable for measurements of the isolation Barrier's breakdown voltage performed off-ground.

Typical applications of Isolation Amplifiers:

This equipment is typically employed or integrated into test and measurement or medical instruments. Moreover, these Amplifiers are immensely employed in solar and fuel cell development to map out the performance and reliability of standalone series-connected voltage cells.