PSA - wall warts using power when they're not being used (still plugged in)

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

PSA - wall warts using power when they're not being used (still plugged in)

This report is from the government on energy used by wall warts:

Check out "Figure 2" on page 5 in the section titled o "How much energy is wasted by power supplies?"

The left side is the specific wall wart (by brand & model). o The chart shows the standby power usage (black squares) o And then the chart shows a green line of active power ranges.

Note the HUGE differences, where... o Some use nothing at standby o But others use MORE POWER at standby than while in use! (???) o Some have a power line close to the standby point o Others, the power line is nowhere near the standby point o While others have a huge range of powers, & others, not so much

The problem with such things is that your particular wall wart model might not be on there, where the range is wide (depending on your accuracy needs)

- so let us know if your particular wall wart is represented.

Also note "power supply efficiency" (on the next page) varies widely by brand and model, from less than 50% to almost 90% (most in the middle).

See also:

[A K]

The report was made in 2002, so it's 17 yrs old.

It includes figures on analog tv use which have not been made in many years.

Andy

[Cindy Hamilton]

The folks in alt.frugal.living knew about wall warts a long, long time ago.

Cindy Hamilton

[John McGaw]

Very simplistic test: if the wall wart is heavy (i.e. has a big iron transformer inside like the ancient Netgear 12V units) and/or is warm to the touch when there is no load (again, like the ancient Netgear 12V units) then it it is using power inefficiently. Most of the lightweight warts using switching supplies are relatively efficient when there is no load. If the unit is warm when unloaded that is a dead giveaway of power waste since heat has to come from somewhere.

My biggest gripe is the vast number of different voltage/connector combinations in the wild. I've got at least four different sorts which have multi-pin connectors, all incompatible either physically or by voltage ratings, which I've got in a box in the closet of computer shame in the basement. When I do need one of them to power an old external drive, for example, it can take a half hour to find the right unit and even then it is sometimes guesswork. Of course with the rest of them it is a matter of voltage/current/inside diameter/outside diameter...

[makolber]

If the wall wart gets hot to the touch, it is wasting some power,,, but in the winter it helps heating your home so it is not completely a waste.

On any case, it is small potatoes.

You can save 1000x by hanging one load of laundry on the line instead of using the dryer.

or take a 2 minute shorter shower.... or one less drive to the store.....

there are 1000 bigger fish to fry compared to wall warts if you want to conserve.

m

[David Higton]

That report is from 2002. Technology has changed a great deal since then. (The report references analogue TVs and CRT monitors.)

The information is so far out of date as to be inapplicable today.

David

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

As always, the child-like trolls have given their absolute best. o Which added _nothing_ of any added value whatsoever.

No problem with your assessment of the fact. o My problem is that NONE of you common trolls posted a *better* report.

It's cowardly easy for common trolls to denigrate the efforts of others... Without having ANY capability to add value on what was already listed.

Where is the report you and the other common trolls think is better?

[Cindy Hamilton]

Dude, if you want a moderated discussion where everybody stays on topic, get your wrinkly old ass over to Facebook.

Cindy Hamilton

[Ed Pawlowski]

Just what does this post add? It is just another post for you to bitch about others. You want to sit your ass on a pedestal and be adored for you knowledge but you really just have a superiority complex.

I told you before how to eliminate most all the trolls. STFU and ignore them but you choose to be a senile old fool and bring it up every time.

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

Ed Pawlowski, Have you _ever_ once added an adult comment to _any_ Usenet post?

Never?

Not even once?

Really?

Think about that.

If you've _ever_ added an adult on-topic value to any post, simply name the post so we can _look_ at what you claim is _adult_ on topic added technical value, Ed Pawlowski.

This is the basic test that every child gets when they make your claims: o Name just one

Let me be clear, Ed Pawlowski, name just one post on Usenet, in your _entire life_, where you claim to have added on topic added technical value.

Here are the groups where you may search for your reference:

Note: When/if you post a _single_ thread, of what you claim is on-topic technical added value, then I will post TEN TIMES THAT, in response, of what I claim, in these very two newsgroups, that is mine.

You trolls, Ed Pawlowski, are all just childish cowardly bullies. o That's why I speak to you like you are a child, Ed Pawlowski.

Because everything you write, proves, for me, that you are a child. Now, either run along, or post the thread PROVING that you "can" add on topic value Ed Pawlowski.

Here's the adult challenge for you to prove, Ed Pawlowski. o Name just one thread, in your entire life, to either of these two newsgroups, where you claim to have added on topic added technical value.

Name just one.

[Carlos E. R.]

Here you go out again fighting those that do not agree with your post. Your OP post is useless, to start with, because the information in which it is based is ancient - and telling the rest of us that it is ancient is actually useful. Now, you go and find a modern one and post that one. But instead of saying, sorry, mistake, I posted old info, you get angry with people and call everyone else a troll, when it is your fault for posting old useless information.

And now you will get angry at me. Fine.

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

Carlos, The only thing I ask of you ... is for you to act like an adult.

Name something better, Carlos, if you feel you are an adult. o Name just one

If you fail the simplest of adult tests, Carlos, don't blame me. o Name just one

[Roger Blake]

He'll probably get angrier at me because I really don't give a rat's ass whether my plugged-in but otherwise unused wall warts are using power.

[Carlos E. R.]

See? There you go, attacking the messenger :-P

Please ask pardon, forget posting, and take that time to find another source with a current report on "wall warts using power when they're not being used".

[Ed Pawlowski]

I'm sorry you are too stupid to look yourself. I've posted hundreds here over many years. You are just a senile old fool that enjoys the trolls more than actual content.

FYI. as much as you enjoy denigrating others, you are not bothering me with you childish rant, I just laugh at them. But you have to react making you the reason for so many trolls. I told you how to eliminate them but you choose not to follow my suggestion.

[trader_4]

One would think an "adult" would take a look at a study that's almost two decades old, where they use as data energy numbers like a 50" TV made in 1993 and realize it's pretty much worthless. And don't expect us to go find new studies for you, obviously you're the one with the interest in the subject. And to what end? I use whatever appliances I want, what I have and don't obsess over the efficiency of the power supplies. Manufacturers have been striving to make those power supplies more efficient and a lot of progress has been made in two decades. What more do you want or need to know? If you want to measure what some devices are actually using, today, go get a Kill-a-Watt meter.

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

Carlos, I love that I simply point to what _you_ wrote. o And you call that "attacking the messenger".

All I pointed out was that what _you wrote_ o Added absolutely _zero_ value.

You _hate_ this fact that what _you_ wrote o Added zero adult value

You keep proving this fact for me every time you post.

What's funny, is that you actually consider the fact I simply pointed out what _you wrote_, to be an "attack".

You have to admit, that's kind of funny Carlos. o If it wasn't so sad.

[Arlen _G_ Holder]

Hi Ed Pawlowski,

As always, the cowardly bullies like you fail the simple adult test: o Name just one.

It's a fact that, in your _entire life_, Ed Pawlowski, you haven't authored a _single_ thread in these two newsgroups you are currently trolling, that added any adult on-topic technical value.

Not even once. o In your _entire_ life!

If you did, even _once_ in your life, add on-topic adult technical value o Name just one.

[trader_4]

Ed has been a valued contributor here for years. He's actually posted and helped people on all kinds of real AHR questions and problems. Every thread you have ever started here turns out like this, with you whining and attacking everyone. And not one I can recall was actually about home repair.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Maybe you are right. I'm going to join a Monastery and spend 13 hours a day meditating and reviewing my life and what a waste it has been. A few hours of yoga a day will help too. I'll look good in yoga pants.

I hope it is not too late to turn my life around and become a contributing member of society. From now on, my life will be devoted to prayer, meditation, reading specifications sheets for wi-fi routers.