Nintendo Isolation Transformer Testing

Dan778791

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I am getting ready to start a project to build a test bench.

I have gotten ahold of two Nintendo 100VAC isolation transformers. Both are in unknown condition. Each one has had wires cut and spliced, so I need to compare them to a working one I have to make sure they are not mis-wired.

I am curious how to test an isolation transformer before I use it.

Before I test the voltage output, does an ISO require a load?
If so, what would be a good suggestion to use? I have a Sanyo monitor and a Nintendo power supply... but my point is I do not want to put these in harms way before I know the ISO is ok.

I was thinking about plugging in a simple 120v incandescent light bulb, I figure it would be dimmer than usual, but would provide a small load, if that is even necessary.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
 
An incandescent light bulb should be fine. What exactly are you testing? Testing it unloaded should be fine as well, it may just have a slightly different voltage output then when it is loaded. But that doesn't really matter since you should know the correct wiring.
 
Before I test the voltage output, does an ISO require a load?
It doesn't REQUIRE a load, but it'll usually read a couple volts higher than usual without it. Even loaded, they don't output exactly 100v - it's usually a few volts higher.

I was thinking about plugging in a simple 120v incandescent light bulb, I figure it would be dimmer than usual, but would provide a small load, if that is even necessary.

A 100watt light bulb is a fantastic test load for a lot of different applications. In this case, it would almost exactly simulate the load of a monitor (a monitor draws about 100watts). It might be slightly dimmer, but you might not be able to tell, the difference is only like 15 volts between the output of a Nintendo isolation transformer and a normal wall socket.

-Ian
 
Thank you all for the information.

I powered them both up with a light bulb plugged in.
They are outputting 103 to 104 VAC

Just for fun, I tried one without a load and measured 103.4 VAC

I bought them over a year ago, not knowing what was wrong with my machine.
So now I have spares in the unlikely event of an iso transformer failure.

My next two steps are to use an iso to power and test an untested Donkey Kong power supply, and rebuild it if needed. Then take an untested Sanyo EZ chasis and get it working with a donor tube... all if/when I find the time.

Again, thanks for all your help
 
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