The main controller has an isolated primary/secondary side, so it's fine for it to bridge. According to the datasheet it's got >4kV of isolation.
The big yellow thing is a transformer, but it's switched at high frequency; this is quite common in this kind of thing. Note that the secondary wires coming out of the top are properly insulated, so this should be quite well isolated.
The class-Y capacitor is designed for exactly this purpose.
It looks like power comes in right above the FT15SM. I'm seeing great separation between the left and right side. Sure, there isn't' an air-gap, but it looks like good enough. It's compact and potted which makes it hard for either of us to get a really good idea.
The actual seperation you need isn't that big and if you're careful you don't need to divide the PCB into two strict sections (just look at most Multimeter PCBs).
I also suspect that like 99% of power supplies, this is a transformer with a switching voltage regulator behind it since PD 2.0 requires a range of voltages to be available.
(1) Low-frequency transformers rated for 18 watts are way bigger than this
(2) There is a nice big picture of INN3265C ("Flyback Switcher IC")
So there is no way one could connect the connector directly to the transformer.
Switching power supplies can use transformers too while remaining efficient.
Yes. This is Chinese version. It's "Triple C" certified instead of UL certified. The components might be different across different versions but we are not certain. The next time we will try to have a comparison between the same products aimed for differnet regions.
You can checkout the teardown of an US version 60W Anker USB-C charger from this link. http://www.chargerlab.com/archives/539.html
Does Anker have a good reputation? I bought an Anker cigarette lighter - USB charger a couple years ago. One of the reviewers pointed out it fit poorly, took it apart, and made suggestions to Anker on how to improve the product (and got feedback from Anker). I figured it was safe to assume the improvements made it into the product. Turns out that a year later no improvement had been made and the damn thing would disconnect every time I hit a bump or looked at it funny.
From my POV Anker is 7-11 quality stuff.
Edit: I'm loving the downvotes from the brand loyalists who've nothing to contribute.
Every time I buy non-Anker USB charging stuff I end up regretting it. Although I have had problems with their USB cables, the micro-USB ends always get loose after a year or so. But this is kind of a microUSB thing anyways.
If you're always chasing the latest hotness and need a power bank that does QC4/USB-PD right now, then Aukey and RAVPower will probably work well enough. But I've started pushing my family to get Anker (or buying for them as stocking stuffers) simply so that they all have something they can hold onto without having to worry about having to rotate out every year.
In fact, the Anker car charger I got was specifically to replace a cheapo-brand one that kept disconnecting at the slightest of bumps or being aligned a certain way in the cigarette lighter port. The Anker one works consistently and does not lose connection for me at all.
I guess you could call me a "brand loyalist" but they've given me no reason not to be at this point. That's not to say I disbelieve others' experiences that aren't so great, but compared to much of their competition at their price points, their quality stands out IMHO
1: http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-ap...
The cable itself started getting uncomfortably warm to the touch. Glad we noticed before things got worse.
* Size A: inside diameter ~21.0mm (mainly American cars)
* Size B: inside diameter ~21.5mm (mainly European cars)
There are a variety of other critiques (e.g. came apart in the receptacle and "All of this could have been avoided if Anker would have angled the leading edge of the side electrical connections more.", "The catches on the side of the charger won't release like the traditional spring ones do.", lack of fuse) as well.
Anker has been fine in terms of quality in my opinion, never had an issue with any of their products. Although i must say there are better on the market. especially in terms of powerbanks.
Potentially, but I'd hope that Anker would exercise a bit more control over their Amazon inventory. From the looks of it there are still plenty of (premature failure, fire) complaints in addition to the no return policy. It screams fly by night to me, but it's interesting to see they've a better reputation with other products.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VH84L5E
Here's the review (about eighteen months before I bought mine): https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R4F5INKA6PO2I/
I was able to return anker products just fine. (i might add im not in the US though)
I suppose the big yellow-wrapped thing is the voltage transformation stage, but the connector should feed directly into it. Looks like it is actually be a transformer rather than a switching supply, which I suppose could cut costs.