Electric devices draw a current when off but plugged in?

[psteng19]

Was reading the specs of an LCD monitor and it stated that it consumed 4(?) watts when OFF (not standby).

Is this true of all electric devices/components/appliances?
Does that mean anything just plugged into an outlet is drawing electricity at all times? My TV? My desklamp?

 

[Adul]

mmm go question. I am sure things that have a hard switch do not draw any current, but devices with soft power on buttons, use remotes, etc need to draw a little bit of power to work

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Adul
mmm go question. I am sure things that have a hard switch do not draw any current, but devices with soft power on buttons, use remotes, etc need to draw a little bit of power to work

yup

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: psteng19
Was reading the specs of an LCD monitor and it stated that it consumed 4(?) watts when OFF (not standby).

Is this true of all electric devices/components/appliances?
Does that mean anything just plugged into an outlet is drawing electricity at all times? My TV? My desklamp?

There's been many threads and articles that you can save 10% or more in electricity by unplugging Wall Transformers of things not being used and other electronics that have standby modes.

 

[Evadman]

Pretty much everything pulls power even when it is off.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Pretty much everything pulls power even when it is off.

Uhh, no. Things that have power-on circuits draw power to enable the electronic power-on, like adul said. Things like your toaster, oven/stove (minus the clock), washing machine, lightbulbs (lmao), etc etc do not...

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt

Originally posted by: Evadman
Pretty much everything pulls power even when it is off.

Uhh, no. Things that have power-on circuits draw power to enable the electronic power-on, like adul said. Things like your toaster, oven/stove (minus the clock), washing machine, lightbulbs (lmao), etc etc do not...

Pretty much Anything with a clock or a transformer will pull power when off. Almost everything has one of these 2 item

<edit>
and before I get slamed, I was asuming that we were talkign about "electronic devices" like the thread states. I am not calling a light bulb or toaster an electronic device

 

[FenrisUlf]

Yes they do draw a slight amount of power. Think about it, most power buttons on newer high end devices are the "soft" kind or can be activated by remote control. This means that some kind of circuit has to be active waiting for you to press the power button or remote. Even your computer is like that. Older AT style power supplies actually had a "hard" switch that would cut the incoming AC power. Newer ones have ATX supplies that are always a little on - it allows the computer to be woken up by a WOL, WOR, or BIOS timing signal as well as the power switch. TV's, LCD monitors, anything with a remote, anthing with a light, easy to press switch all pay for that by having a small circuit on at all times. Things like lamps generally don't need this (unless you have a fancy-schmancy light) and can get away with a cheaper "hard" switch. Wall warts are alway on, and unless they are "switching" type power supplies (which are far more expensive to make), they are always drawing full power even though they aren't using it.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt

Originally posted by: Evadman
Pretty much everything pulls power even when it is off.

Uhh, no. Things that have power-on circuits draw power to enable the electronic power-on, like adul said. Things like your toaster, oven/stove (minus the clock), washing machine, lightbulbs (lmao), etc etc do not...

Pretty much Anything with a clock or a transformer will pull power when off. Almost everything has one of these 2 item

<edit>
and before I get slamed, I was asuming that we were talkign about "electronic devices" like the thread states. I am not calling a light bulb or toaster an electronic device

Before you get slammed you better re-read the title/original message and check for "electronic"

 

[FoBoT]

all depends on the location/type of the "on/off" switch in the circuit

when going on vacation, it is a good idea to remove the plug of electronics from the wall socket

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt

Originally posted by: Evadman
Pretty much everything pulls power even when it is off.

Uhh, no. Things that have power-on circuits draw power to enable the electronic power-on, like adul said. Things like your toaster, oven/stove (minus the clock), washing machine, lightbulbs (lmao), etc etc do not...

Actually you would be quite supprised on the number of devices that do in fact consume power just by simply being plugged in. Most washer/dryers do and I wouldn't be supprised if a toaster did. It's something that is talked about quite frequently on solar power websites.

 

[Reel]

I hated circuits classes but wouldn't this also help keep capacitors charged?

 

[johneetrash]

my teacher back when i was in junior high was telling us one time that her family goes on vacation for a month every year or osmethin... one year she unplugged everything that doesnt need to stay on (i.e. left the fridge on and all those other things) and she saved quite a few bucks on her electric bill.

 

[Mark R]

The question you need to ask is - is there anything in the appliance that needs to be switched on at all times?

Most simple devices like older TVs, toasters, washing machines/driers will completely cut the power when switched off.

I've repaired a few older TVs, the first port of call for the mains wire is the switch, only after than is there any thing that might take power. Same with toasters, pushing the lever down activates the main switch - no power can flow unless that switch is on. Also true for my old tumble drier and washing machine (not for my new ones).

On my old washing machine - the door interlock was electronically controlled. However, when the power was off - if you pushed the door open button, a lever would push the power button (to energise the interlock circuit), and then turn the power off again once you opened the door. On my new washing machine, it is all electronic - an 'always on' circuit will operate the door interlock, even though the machine is switched off.

The technique of a constantly powered circuit is increasingly popular, due to convenience for the manufacturer (small low voltage switches are cheaper, smaller and require less force to push than mains voltage switches - especially ones that will safely switch a heavy load) and it's decreased cost (if you need a safety interlock relay to cut the power then why have an expensive and bulky power mains power switch as well?). Many people also prefer the 'touch' action of small switches to the heavy 'clunk' of mains voltage switches.

Finally, anything with an unswitched mains transformer (most pregnant plug type adaptors e.g. mobile phone chargers, etc.) will draw power even when not in use - they won't draw full power but will draw a trickle.

 

[Goosemaster]

Boolean switches people....

Either you physically complete the circuit mechanically(no power) or a circuit is always active, and you tell it to activate anotehr circuit.


Toaster or old IBM Pcs..you physically use kinetic energy and transfer it somehwere or complete a circuit by moving something into position.


Tv....Circuit for power is active....it uses its availability to power on the CRT

 

[Goosemaster]

By the way, I've been told I sounf worse than Rush Limbaugh(sp?) when trying to get my point accross

 

[rudder]

TVs, DVDs, VCRs, anything with a remote will also draw power since they sit and wait for someone to press the on button.