Smart Strip Controls Phantom Loads
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.31.07
Its not just wall warts that have phantom loads; most people with desktop computers might turn off the computer at night but leave the monitor or the sound system on standby, there are just so many switches. (I admit that I often do) Here is a very clever power bar that detects when the computer is on; when you turn it off, power is cut to the monitor or whatever other peripherals are plugged into the slave outlets. No fuss or muss and starting at only $ 24.95. Chris at Digital Media Thoughts took a Kill-A-Watt to his system and discovered how much stuff sucks phantom load:
"When I got the Kill-A-Watt last year, I was surprised how much power some things draw when not in use. The following are just a few examples:
Altec Lansing Speakers: 3 watts
19" LCD Monitor: 1 watt
HP Scanner: 3 watts
External DVD burner: 3 watts
Laser Printer: 7 watts
USB hub: 5 watts
I plugged the above peripherals along with a few other things into the switched outlets. I did not plug my cable modem, wireless router, or Slingbox into the switched outlets since I often use these when my main computer is off. In total, I plugged 30 watts of equipment into the switched outlets.
My total computer system draws about 190 watts when fully powered. Using the Smart Power Strip, idle power has been cut from 70 watts to 40 watts. Therefore, before this little experiment, I was drawing 190 watts for 8 hours a day and 70 watts for 16 hours a day for a total of 2.64 Kwh per day or about $0.35 at my local billing rate. As a result of the above changes, I am now drawing 190 watts for 4 hours a day and 40 watts for 20 hours a day for a total of 1.56 Kwh per day or about $0.205. So I'm saving $0.145 per day, and while YMMV, it certainly seems feasible for this product to easily pay for it self many, many times over."
Sounds like a useful device!
Available at SmarthomeUSA. ::Digital Media Thoughts via ::Ubergizmo
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Ummmm...not sure why plugging into this power strip would cut computer usage in half. In other words, why did the 190W draw drop from 8 hours/day to 4 hours/day?
Comparing apples to apples, a drop of 30W for 16 hours/day at the stated power rate works out to 6.4 cents/day or $23.22/year. The device is still worthwhile.
This is a great solution to my problem. I've got a TV, VCR, DVD player and stereo system plugged in in my living room. The VCR and stereo need to stay on all the time so they don't forget what time it is, but the TV, DVD and other stuff can be turned off. Rather than plugging in
Ideally, these things would have WiFi or an Ethernet port and be controllable remotely. Nothing like having a cron job on my web host (who's carbon neutral) dial in to make sure I don't have any phantom loads.
On a side note, most networking equipment uses transformers to covert 120V AC to 12V DC. Would it be possible to set up a small PV system with a couple batteries to power your home networking equipment. This would be great for folks like me who have Vonage for our phone service.
for the computer? why not just turn your existing power strip off when not in use, then turn it on when you need to boot up.
Not very many pc peripherals need to be on 24/7 like a VCR.
I have a pretty extensive system: dual color-correct 21" monitor, high-end Sinar digital camera back, multiple external drives, speakers & sub, USB/firewire hub, multiple inkjet printers, and various other things plugged into the system from time to time. But when I go home for the day, I remove the battery back-up power block from the wall - saves electricity and makes the chance of any surge on expensive equipment nil. Seems like a little more easy and sensible solution for computers all around...
Great I'm ready to buy one.
Does anyone know where I can get one of these for less than $24.95 + $9.95 shipping. I usually avoid companies that gouge me on shipping.
Chip