An isolation amplifier measures the voltage between two terminals while maintaining a physical barrier between the two test points and the terminal where the measured voltage is presented. This type of measurement can be particularly useful when the terminals being tested are hazardous and when the terminals are high voltage relative to the local earth voltage.

Also, isolation is used when the common mode of voltage may exceed the limits of other measurement equipment.

All amplifiers have a maximum rating that, if exceeded, will damage the unit. Protection devices are available to protect against potentially damaging voltage transients that can be expected in real measurement environments. Read our advice on the effect of protection devices that can be fitted to the enclosures for isolation amplifiers.

Fylde products have a high common mode range and high input impedance with excellent common mode rejection properties. Safety is always the primary consideration.