Isolators

An isolator is a device or mechanism designed to create deliberate separation between two systems or components in order to prevent the transfer of energy, signals, or material. Isolation can be electrical, mechanical, environmental, or functional, and isolators are used to enhance safety, reduce interference, or protect equipment and operators in a variety of settings.

Electrical isolators, common in power distribution and industrial automation, are devices that physically separate electrical circuits to allow safe maintenance or to de-energize a portion of a system. They are typically designed to provide a visible gap when open and are intended to be operated under no-load conditions. Unlike circuit breakers, isolators are not meant to interrupt current; their primary role is to ensure a clear, safe disconnection.

Optical isolators, or opto-isolators, provide galvanic isolation between two electrical circuits while allowing signal transmission. They employ light to convey information between input and output, protecting sensitive equipment from voltage spikes, noise, and ground potential differences. They are widely used in microcontroller interfaces, data acquisition, and control systems.

Isolators also appear in containment and environmental applications. In pharmaceutical and biotechnology settings, containment isolators or gloveboxes create a controlled environment for handling hazardous or sterile materials, maintaining barrier integrity and appropriate pressure differentials. In clean rooms, such systems help prevent cross-contamination and protect operators.

In mechanical and civil engineering, isolators reduce the transmission of vibrations or seismic energy. Vibration isolators use springs or elastomeric pads to decouple equipment from structures, while seismic base isolators, such as laminated rubber bearings or sliding bearings, decouple buildings from ground motion during earthquakes.

Overall, isolators serve to separate functional domains to improve safety, performance, and reliability across diverse industries.