I seem to remember seeing a device that you plug in to a 3-pin socket and you then plug in two appliences - when one draws power it switches on the other. I have seen them used to turn on a vacuum cleaner when a power tool is used (so it only socks the dust when required).
What are these called, and where can I get one?
These are sold in Lidl from time to time for about £15. I have one to power on peripherals when I turn my PC on.
john2
I've seen them in the sheds. Normally several auto switched outlets and one "control" socket. Not sure if they'll be robust enough for switching or powering large inductive loads such as a vacum cleaner and controling power tool... Read the specs carefully.
The message from "Dave Liquorice" contains these words:
The ones the woodworking firms sell are - they're specifically for powering up the dust extraction when you switch the power tool on.
Like all Axminster items, this one's painfully overpriced, but is one example of what you can get...
B&Q do a little vac with an extension socket for £35. When the power tool is on the vac runs and stops a few seconds after the tool is off. I use one for my saw.
You could probably extract the electrics if you wanted to use it for something else.
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