Taming the peripheral drain

So you know all those handy peripherals for your computer? the printer? the monitor? the speakers? they all draw power even when they are in standby mode (some models more than others). One way around this is to use a power strip that senses when your computer is off and shuts off the sockets that your peripherals are plugged in to. It watches the power draw for the socket designated for your computer, and then disconnects power to the other sockets (effectively like you had turned off the switch on the power strip)

Here's an example of a product:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/one-click-power-neutralizes-scumsucking-wall-warts-while-you-sleep-231784.php (power strip with one monitored socket and 5 switched sockets -- made for uk)


I bought this one from amazon:

You'll want to get a power strip for connecting multiple things to the switched socket or a power strip liberator (1 foot extension cord) for something with a wall wart


UPDATE: here's a power strip for sale in the US http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/Bits-Ltd./Item/LCG5/

How much power do LCD monitors and TVs use?

Dell 2001FP (20" lcd computer monitor)
39 watts (standby/idle)
42 watts (playing vga video full screen)
29 wats (turning on)

Dell 2000FP (20" lcd computer monitor)
3 watts (off)
3 watts (standby/idle)
50 watts (windows desktop)
47 watts (3d flower box screensaver mostly black screen)
45-47 watts (playing hidef video -- prison break 2x01 720p)
41-42 watts (almost entirely black screen)

Sharp 45GX6U 45" LCD tv (1080P panel doesn't include required A/V box)
0 watts (off)
34 (idle?)
<1 (sleep)
232-236 (nothing on screen)
237-241 (static image)

45GX6U AVC box input box for lcd tv
4 watts (off)
42 watts




The above measurements were made with a kill a watt monitor by electrimetric

Other measurements reported:
mark_1080p from avsforum reports
Sharp LC-32d7u 32" LCD tv 63 watts @ min backlight setting
Sharp LC-37d7u 37" LCD tv 68 watts @ min backlight setting
Samsung LN-S5296 52" Plasma TV 115 watts @ min backlight setting

update 2007-01-19
jils reports:
Panasonic PT-43LC14 (LCD rear projection 720P)
consumes 158-161 watts during use (didn't seem to matter what channel
was being viewed/res).

update 2007-03-01
Sceptre X37SV (-Komodo) off < 1 watt, on 181 watts (idle blue, or full motion video)