An isolator switch is a device that allows the independent circuit control of two or more circuits in an electronic system.
Each circuit may be turned on, off, or to its specified state by the isolator switch.
As a disconnector switch, the isolator is placed at the ends of circuit breakers to ease circuit breaker repair. As a rule of the thumb, they're often used when safety requirements mean that multiple disconnect switches should be provided in series in case one fails.Isolation is required to prevent a short circuit or electric shock, which could harm people and equipment.
An electrical isolator is designed to effectively isolate two different parts of an electrical power circuit or an instrument. The features of isolator switches are below.
To prevent electrical shock and equipment malfunctions. While it doesn't function exactly like a circuit breaker that separates the circuit automatically in case of an overload, an electrical isolator switches, it's done manually.
No power-on or power-off transients (surges). When the switch is activated, it will either turn on or off, but there won't be any surges while it does so.
A device that requires two or more switches to work in conjunction with each other can create a situation where the failure of either switch will cause the entire system to fail. The isolator switch has this danger covered because if one fails, you still have another switch that can operate independently and ensure safety.
You have the power to create your own configurations. Customise your system so it can suit your specific requirements.
Easily add more switches onto the same control pad.
Easy to use and program. The green status LED will indicate if a switch is on or off, and blue LEDs will show what each switch does (e.g.: which lights are on in a room). Also, because the isolator switches are operated manually having no complicated programming, all you need to do is turn the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to operate your switches
Energy consumption is less than 0.1 watts when "off" and less than 0.5 watts when "on".
Depending on your electrical appliances ranging from solar circuits, kitchen appliances, power circuits, power grids, and air conditioning systems, you can pick either of the following isolation switches.
Single-pole isolator switch.
Double-pole isolator switch.
3-pole isolator switch.
4-pole isolator switch.
Fused isolator switch.
Battery isolator switches.
Electrical isolator switches control an electrical circuit by complete electrical isolation from the input side to the output side of the isolator switch because it has no direct electrical power connection, unlike circuit breakers.
As a mechanical switch, the isolator and circuit breaker operate on the same principle, but they are vastly very different. The isolation switches use optocouplers that use light as the communication mechanism between switches.When current flows through an LED in one switch, it will emit light using the photoelectric effect and this light is received by a phototransistor in another switch.
Current flows through this transistor and provides similar emission of LEDs so they can receive each other's signal interchangeably.
An isolator switch comprises a control unit that contains a logic circuit and relays connection by an optocoupler. It can be built into neat modules for ease of installing inside your electrical panel box or cabinet. The modular design allows you to configure your system to suit specific requirements like the number of poles (contacts), operating voltage, different types of terminals needed like blade or screw connector, etc., whether you want an emergency stop button, locks, etc.
The fundamental difference between an isolator switch and an ordinary switch is the fact that it provides complete electrical isolation, there are no-load conditions (electrical connection). An isolator switch controls a circuit in electrical isolation from the input side to the output side of the isolator switch because it has no direct electrical connection. A conventional on/off single-pole, double-throw (SPDT), or changeover switch can connect one circuit to another but does not isolate them electrically, so if one fails, there will be continuity in both circuits. This may allow dangerous voltage of electrical current to flow through the failed circuit. It's also possible for all switches downstream to fail in detecting continuity and, thus, fail-safe, making it impossible to turn anything off. An isolator switch solves this problem by providing a single SPDT or changeover switch that controls two circuits with complete electrical isolation between them, which means that if one fails, the other will operate independently The optocoupler keeps the two circuits electrically isolated from each other and allows either circuit to be turned on or off without affecting the other. This prevents dangerous voltage or current from flowing through the failed circuit and ensures a fail-safe operation In addition, since there is no direct electrical connection between either input and output of an isolator switch, it can also prevent cross-contamination of hazardous voltages within a system in the event of a failure.
A single IS-01 switch will control a set of lights, small appliances, or other low-power devices. Multiple switches can be wired in series so that the first one controls two circuits and the second one controls four circuits, and so on. You can wire up to a maximum of eight switches in series before you have to use relays, although having more than five is not recommended as it becomes too complicated for most people In switch mode, an isolator switch simply connects two adjacent terminals together when the control input terminal is energised and disconnects them when it's de-energised. The output section has normally open (NO) terminals only, which are only connected when they are energised. There is no direct connection between the input and output in switch mode. This is useful where you want to connect two circuits together without affecting them or each other when either circuit fails.
An isolation switch can be used in all situations where two circuits have to be connected together, but there is a risk of one failing. It's suitable for any kind of domestic, commercial, or industrial application where you need to control devices from more than a single point.
The switch has a number of important applications;
For safety and protection where hazardous voltages are present. In these cases, it's essential that the integrity of the electrical system, including the isolation between power sources and other circuits, should not be compromised under any circumstance - like say if there was an electrical fire or another emergency such as gas escaping into an area or dangerous fumes getting into your ventilation system.
There should also be no possibility of electricity flowing through a failed circuit, such as when using domestic appliances.
It should protect equipment from all forms of interference, including electromagnetic fields and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI). This makes it ideal for use in any situation where two circuits need to be connected together and one contains sensitive electronic equipment like computers or televisions. This is especially useful in buildings with strong radio waves like hospitals and TV studios, near high voltage cables or overhead power lines, etc.
For hazardous environments, an isolator switch can also prevent cross-contamination of hazardous voltages within a system in the event of a failure. In addition, metal-enclosed isolator switches are also available that meet the requirements for intrinsically safe electrical equipment. WorkSafe Queensland has a good reference for identifying voltage hazards.There are similarities in some of the functionalities of circuit breakers and isolator switches on an electrical circuit, however, there is a major difference in terms of when they are operational.
Circuit breakers work automatically while, for an electrical isolator, it's operated manually. Falling under the umbrella of a mechanical switch, isolator switches act as disconnector switch to isolate any electrical circuit before fixing it up.
On the other hand, a circuit breaker protects the electrical circuit from an electrical power surge. With a circuit breaker, you'll be able to work on the appliances while the current is on and off when dealing with an electrical isolator.I believe you now have an understanding of what an electrical switch is and how best it can serve you in relation to a circuit breaker.
One thing to note is that while the location of a circuit breaker may not be in close vicinity (such as in the hallway, basement, utility closet, etc) an isolator switch should be placed in an easily accessible space and in close proximity to your electronic apparatus (the air conditioner, electric ovens, hot water units, fan or refrigerators).
Hence, aside from the circuit breaker, the electrical isolators offer additional security not only for your appliances but also for the electrical work repair done.