Energy Education

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[[File:PowerBar.jpg|300px|thumb|Figure 1: A [[power strip]] can control the standby power of devices by simply switching off.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Socket_5.jpg</ref>]]
[[File:EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005-0218.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1: The label on a power converter that shows that it's a level V.<ref>From United States 2013-09 International Efficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies Version 3.0 Accessed July 18th, 2018: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005-0218</ref> Level IV, V and VI power converters have largely eliminated the problems of vampire power.]]<onlyinclude>'''Standby power''' refers to the [[electricity|electrical]] [[energy]] that is used by devices even when they appear to be turned off.<ref name=a>''Standby Power'' [Online]. Available: http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html</ref> </onlyinclude> Standby power allows electronics to turn on quickly, but means that they are constantly drawing some power from the [[electrical grid]].  
<onlyinclude>'''Standby power''' (also known as '''vampire power''', '''phantom power''' and '''phantom load''') refers to the [[electricity|electrical]] [[energy]] that is used by devices even when they are turned off.<ref name=a>''Standby Power'' [Online]. Available: http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html</ref></onlyinclude>
==Causes==
The following devices draw standby power:<ref name=a/><ref name=b>Lamb, R. ''How Vampire Power Works'' [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/vampire-power1.htm</ref>


For the purpose of this discussion, there are two types of standby power: on-call power<ref>This term was made up just for this article, but it seems like the distinction is important. If a reader is aware of a better term, please [[Special:Contact| contact the energy education team]].</ref> which allows devices to provide an [[energy service]] immediately. The other type of standby power is also known as '''vampire power''', '''phantom power''' and '''phantom load'''.
On-call power comes from:<ref name=b>Lamb, R. ''How Vampire Power Works'' [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/vampire-power1.htm</ref>
*Devices with a constant digital or LED display that requires power
*Devices with a constant digital or LED display that requires power
*Devices with [[AC adapter]]s, with some older types wasting nearly 50% of of the supplied energy
*Devices that can be controlled with a remote
*Devices that can be controlled with a remote
*Devices that are often left on low-power standby, like printers
*Devices that are often left on low-power standby, like printers


==Advantages and disadvantages==
Standby power is vital for devices like [[thermostat]]s and telephones with answering machines, as they require constant power in order to function. It also reduces warm-up time for electronic devices that can go into a 'sleep' or 'hibernate' mode. For remote controls, it helps maintain internal and external digital clocks.<ref name=a></ref><ref name=b></ref>
Standby power is vital for devices like [[thermostat]]s and telephones with answering machines, as they require constant power in order to function. It also allows for the reduction of warm-up time for electronic devices that can go into a 'sleep' or 'hibernate' mode. It also enables remotes to control devices and helps maintain internal and external digital clocks.<ref name=a></ref><ref name=b></ref>
 
Of course, the major disadvantage to standby power is the constant use of [[electricity]].
 
Vampire power on the other hand comes from devices with [[AC adapter]]s, with some older types wasting nearly 50% of of the supplied energy. When articles talk about how wasteful standby power is, these articles are almost always referring to this  wasted power. It's important to note that this problem is largely solved with newer electronics.
 
Legislation in Canada, the United States and the European Union has reduced the wasted power from standby power in new electronics to very low levels (from [[watt|~50 W to ~0.5 W]]). Newer electronics, labelled with IV, V or VI (see Figure 1) have very little vampire power. If the power supply (that converts [[AC]] from the [[outlet]] to the [[DC]] needed for most electrical devices) doesn't have a label, it's probably old and drawing a fair amount of power. Likewise, if it's warm when it's plugged in, or humming, it's probably wasting electrical power.<ref>Another way to tell is if the bit that plugs in the wall is heavy—older adaptors have heavier electronics.</ref> See Figure 2 below to see a time-line of how efficiency standards have improved to reduce wasted electricity in AC-DC converters.


Of course, the major disadvantage to standby power is the constant use of [[electricity]]. Also, devices with [[AC adapter]]s often use standby energy constantly with no advantages. For example, [[battery]] chargers that are not charging a device still draw some power. Modern chargers draw an insignificant amount of electricity while in standby mode (usually less than 1 [[Watt]]) so there's no reason to unplug a cell phone charger when not in use.
[[File:Efficiency_cstandards_for_power_supplies.png|820px|thumb|centre|Figure 2: An info-graphic showing the timeline of efficiency levels for electronics sold in Canada, the European Union and the United States.<ref>CUI Efficiency Standards for External Power Supplies, Accessed July 18th, 2018: https://www.cui.com/catalog/resource/efficiency-standards-for-external-power-supplies.pdf </ref>]]


==Impact==
==For Further Reading==
The previously noted disadvantages, like wall chargers drawing power even while they aren't charging something, can lead to unnecessary costs for the consumer and [[environmental impact|environmental harm]]. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of domestic electricity use in developed countries is standby power.<ref name=a></ref>
For further information please see the related pages below:
*[[Direct current]]
*[[Alternating current]]
*[[Distribution grid]]
*[[Transformer]]
*[[Connecting homes to the electrical grid ]]
*[[Energy for electricity by country]]
* Or explore a [[Special:Random| random page!]]


In Canada, the impact of a single device in terms of standby power has been greatly limited due to regulations implemented by National Resources Canada in 2011.<ref>''ARCHIVED - Standby Power Consumption - October 2011'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/node/7251</ref> Despite this, the cumulative energy used by all the devices in a home can still build up to a significant amount. In order to minimize the impact of standby power, groups of devices that use a great deal of standby power can be connected to a [[power strip]] (Figure 1) that can be turned off when the devices are not needed, or one could simply unplug devices that will not be in use for extended periods of time.<ref name=b></ref>
For deeper reading specifically on this topic, CUI has an excellent document [https://www.cui.com/catalog/resource/efficiency-standards-for-external-power-supplies.pdf here], which explains the history, the needs and the plans for the immediate future. NRCan explain's the Canadian perspective [https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/regulations-codes-standards/18443 here].


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]
[[Category:Uploaded]]

Revision as of 19:10, 19 July 2018

Figure 1: The label on a power converter that shows that it's a level V.[1] Level IV, V and VI power converters have largely eliminated the problems of vampire power.

Standby power refers to the electrical energy that is used by devices even when they appear to be turned off.[2] Standby power allows electronics to turn on quickly, but means that they are constantly drawing some power from the electrical grid.

For the purpose of this discussion, there are two types of standby power: on-call power[3] which allows devices to provide an energy service immediately. The other type of standby power is also known as vampire power, phantom power and phantom load.

On-call power comes from:[4]

  • Devices with a constant digital or LED display that requires power
  • Devices that can be controlled with a remote
  • Devices that are often left on low-power standby, like printers

Standby power is vital for devices like thermostats and telephones with answering machines, as they require constant power in order to function. It also reduces warm-up time for electronic devices that can go into a 'sleep' or 'hibernate' mode. For remote controls, it helps maintain internal and external digital clocks.[2][4]

Of course, the major disadvantage to standby power is the constant use of electricity.

Vampire power on the other hand comes from devices with AC adapters, with some older types wasting nearly 50% of of the supplied energy. When articles talk about how wasteful standby power is, these articles are almost always referring to this wasted power. It's important to note that this problem is largely solved with newer electronics.

Legislation in Canada, the United States and the European Union has reduced the wasted power from standby power in new electronics to very low levels (from ~50 W to ~0.5 W). Newer electronics, labelled with IV, V or VI (see Figure 1) have very little vampire power. If the power supply (that converts AC from the outlet to the DC needed for most electrical devices) doesn't have a label, it's probably old and drawing a fair amount of power. Likewise, if it's warm when it's plugged in, or humming, it's probably wasting electrical power.[5] See Figure 2 below to see a time-line of how efficiency standards have improved to reduce wasted electricity in AC-DC converters.

Figure 2: An info-graphic showing the timeline of efficiency levels for electronics sold in Canada, the European Union and the United States.[6]

For Further Reading

For further information please see the related pages below:

For deeper reading specifically on this topic, CUI has an excellent document here, which explains the history, the needs and the plans for the immediate future. NRCan explain's the Canadian perspective here.

References

  1. ↑ From United States 2013-09 International Efficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies Version 3.0 Accessed July 18th, 2018: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005-0218
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Standby Power [Online]. Available: http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html
  3. ↑ This term was made up just for this article, but it seems like the distinction is important. If a reader is aware of a better term, please contact the energy education team.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lamb, R. How Vampire Power Works [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/vampire-power1.htm
  5. ↑ Another way to tell is if the bit that plugs in the wall is heavy—older adaptors have heavier electronics.
  6. ↑ CUI Efficiency Standards for External Power Supplies, Accessed July 18th, 2018: https://www.cui.com/catalog/resource/efficiency-standards-for-external-power-supplies.pdf
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