Question

What is the importance of electr!cal isolation when interfacing microcontrollers to higher voltage inductive circuits (motors).? how can electrical isolation be achieved to protect the microcontroller and motor.?

Answer 1

Given problem has been solved with proper explanation. If you have any doubt, please comment.

1. Electrical isolation when interfacing microcontrollers to higher voltage inductive circuits ( motors) is very important. The reason is described below.

Microcontroller is an electronic circuit which is powered by DC low voltages ( 5V to 12V generally). High voltage inductive circuits or loads are power by single phase or 3 phase AC voltage sources ( voltage which are very greater than 5V or 12V). If any low voltage electronic component are connected with hight voltage circuit then electronic component will be burnt out because of insulation failure. To there must be a electrical isolation in between high voltage and low voltage circuit.

2. Most common process of doing electrical isolation is by using isolation transformer or step down transformer ( based on user needs) in between high voltage and low voltage circuit. We know that primary and secondary winding of a transformer is electrically isolated but magnetically coupled or connected. It protects both the microcontroller and motor ( loads) .