Hi All, Many thanks for all contributions.

My background is working on stage as a (mostly) sound tech. On stage we use portable distribution boards (distros) like these:

These are plugged into outlets on the stage and all of our equipment is then connected via the distro. In the same way, the distro board i'm talking about will not be hard wired into the house mains, rather plugged in via a UK 13A plug. So essentially its an enhanced plug board.
I'm sorry I didn't make that clear in my original post.

On the isolation transformer front, I've found a second hand 3KVA TF for under £40.

Thanks all.

 

Would a stick welder work?

Yes. Any type of welder will work. It's welding. Even gas welding would work.

 

Yes. Any type of welder will work. It's welding. Even gas welding would work.

Gots both!
Now...can you point to a video for me?

Edit: I don't think a gas torch would be good. It would eat the insulation off the windings.
Edit: Looking at how they come apart pretty much tells me how to put them back together.

 

Why do you need an isolation transformer when you have an RCD at the the supply,it defeats the object.??

Just have the Master isolator, and the Rcd, then circuit breakers for the separate outputs rated accordingly.
If you want to include emergency stop buttons also,you can use a contactor and start button.

All UK wiring is regulated by BS7671.

 

Even gas welding would work.

Doubtful given the heat would warp the laminations and destroy the insulating varnish between them well before you ever got anything hot enough to weld back together.

Mig welding however can put a weld bead down fast enough to minimize that lamination distortion issue while not compromising too much of the insulating varnish to matter.

As for effective alternatives anyone can use, JB weld epoxy has fairly good magnetic conductance properties while still being nonconductive and I have used many times to put various magnetic cores back together.

 

Doubtful given the heat would warp the laminations and destroy the insulating varnish between them well before you ever got anything hot enough to weld back together.

Yeah, now that you mention it.