Why a damper isolation transformer?

[wa2ise]

Originally Posted by Findm-Keepm

...or the H-K short could cause many more problems? They were first made in the 50s, so probably not a color-TV specific problem....

Any ideas?

Early damper diodes (like 6W4) probably didn't have quite enough H-K insulation, as compared to later ones. Look at a late version, you'd see a spiral of whitish coated wire? between the heater and the cathode.

The isolation transformer was probably a solution to avoid having to replace the tube every few months, which consumers would not like at all...