USB isolator Industry, 4kV

USB Isolator Industry, 4kV by Wiesemann & Theis

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV (#33204) by Wiesemann & Theis offers a robust solution for galvanic isolation of USB connections with Low-Speed (1.5 Mbit/s) and Full-Speed (12 Mbit/s) transfer rates. With an isolation voltage of at least 4 kV DC, the isolator protects USB hosts and connected devices from equalizing currents and electromagnetic interference. It is especially suitable for applications in data acquisition, control engineering, medical technology, and high-quality USB audio equipment, thanks to a multi-stage filtered output voltage. The isolator operates transparently without additional drivers and is integrated into a USB cable, featuring a housing optimized for DIN rail mounting. Flexible power supply is provided via the USB bus or optionally via external supply for power-hungry devices with up to 1 A load current. The isolator complies with strict standards for office and industrial environments and offers a five-year warranty. This article highlights the technical features, applications, and benefits of the USB Isolator Industry, 4kV.

Galvanic Isolation: Protection for Sensitive Applications

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV provides galvanic isolation of USB connections between the USB host (upstream port, USB Type B plug) and connected devices (downstream port, USB Type A socket) to prevent equalizing currents and mutual interference. In the consumer world, where USB devices are usually powered via the bus and have no additional connections to a second ground or protective earth, galvanic isolation is often unnecessary. However, in professional applications such as data acquisition, control engineering, medical technology, or USB audio equipment, it is essential to ensure system reliability and safety. With an isolation voltage of at least 4 kV DC, the isolator offers a particularly high level of protection against electrical interference. For example, in data acquisition, equalizing currents can impair sensor accuracy, while in medical technology, patient and device safety is paramount. A special feature of the isolator is the multi-stage filtered output voltage on the galvanically isolated side, which minimizes interference through an L-C filter. This makes the isolator ideal for connecting high-quality USB audio equipment, such as studio microphones or audio interfaces, where low-noise signal transmission is crucial. The isolator supports Low-Speed (1.5 Mbit/s) and Full-Speed (12 Mbit/s) USB devices and operates fully transparently, requiring no driver software installation.

Interfaces and Connectivity

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV features an upstream port (USB Type B plug) for connection to the USB host and a downstream port (USB Type A socket) for the connected device. The galvanic isolation between these ports with an isolation voltage of 4 kV DC protects both sides from electrical interference and ensures secure data transmission. The isolator is integrated into a USB cable, making it a compact in-line solution, and features a housing designed for DIN rail mounting. This design is particularly advantageous in industrial environments where DIN rail mounting is standard. The isolator supports Low-Speed and Full-Speed USB devices such as keyboards, mice, sensors, or audio equipment and is optimized for applications that do not require High-Speed transmission. The transparent operation without driver installation facilitates integration into existing systems, while DIN rail mounting allows stable and space-saving installation in control cabinets.

Power Supply for Power-Hungry Devices

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV is normally powered via the USB bus, which is sufficient for most Low- and Full-Speed devices. For power-hungry USB devices such as external sensors or audio interfaces, the isolator offers an optional external power supply on the upstream side supporting a load current of up to 1 A without affecting the 4 kV DC isolation voltage. This external power supply is provided via a screw terminal connection, ensuring a secure and stable connection. This function is especially useful in industrial applications or with USB audio equipment where devices may have higher power requirements. The combination of USB bus and external power supply makes the isolator versatile and ensures reliable power even in demanding scenarios.

Compliance and Reliability

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV complies with stringent standards for immunity (EN 61000-6-2) and emissions (EN 55032:2015 + A1 Class B, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3), qualifying it for use in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Its high immunity ensures reliable operation even in areas with electromagnetic interference such as production plants or laboratories. CE marking and UL certification confirm suitability for international applications, while the robust design is intended for continuous operation. With a five-year warranty, the isolator provides a low-maintenance and durable solution for professional users. The high isolation voltage of 4 kV DC and the multi-stage filtered output voltage provide additional safety and signal quality, particularly in sensitive applications such as medical technology or USB audio equipment.

Versatile Applications

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV is ideal for applications where galvanic isolation is required to ensure the reliability and safety of USB connections. In data acquisition, the isolator protects sensors and measuring devices from equalizing currents that could impair data accuracy. For example, a USB sensor that records environmental parameters such as humidity or temperature can be protected from interference by the isolator. In control engineering, the isolator prevents electrical interference between controllers and USB hosts, which is crucial in industrial automation projects. In medical technology, galvanic isolation is essential to ensure patient and device safety, for example when connecting medical diagnostic devices to a PC. Notably, it is suitable for USB audio equipment, where the multi-stage filtered output voltage minimizes interference and ensures high signal quality for studio microphones, audio interfaces, or other audio devices. The DIN rail mounting makes the isolator ideal for industrial control cabinets, while support for Low- and Full-Speed devices ensures broad compatibility.

Benefits of Transparent Operation and DIN Rail Mounting

The transparent operation of the USB isolator is a major advantage, as no additional drivers or software installations are required. This reduces configuration effort and makes the isolator compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Integration into a USB cable enables a compact and space-saving installation, while the DIN rail-compatible housing allows easy mounting in industrial environments. This combination of user-friendliness and robust design is particularly advantageous in environments where fast and reliable solutions are demanded, such as in industry, healthcare, or professional audio applications.

Robust and Versatile Solution for USB Isolation

The USB Isolator Industry, 4kV by Wiesemann & Theis impresses with its ease of use, high reliability, and standards compliance. With galvanic isolation, support for Low- and Full-Speed USB devices, multi-stage filtered output voltage for USB audio equipment, external power supply for power-hungry devices, and an isolation voltage of 4 kV DC, it is the ideal solution for applications in data acquisition, control engineering, medical technology, and audio applications. The five-year warranty underlines the durability and quality of this compact solution.