According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the amount of power consumed by a galvanic isolator. A transmitter transmits a wake-up signal to a receiver located across an isolation medium when the transmitter is ready or preparing to transmit data or power signals to a receiver, which is operably connected to a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit receives the wake-up signal through the isolation medium, which may be operably connected to and powered substantially continuously or intermittently by a first power source. In response to the sensing circuit receiving the wake-up signal, the receiver is powered up from a sleep mode to an operating mode. After a period of time tRDY has passed since the wake-up signal was transmitted, a signature pattern is transmitted from the transmitter to the sensing circuit through the isolation medium. Next, the sensing circuit or the receiver verifies the validity of the signature pattern. If the signature pattern is determined at to be valid, the receiver is enabled to receive the data or power signals from the transmitter. The transmitter then transmits the data or power signals from the transmitter through the isolation medium to the receiver.