Is Electric consumed whilst plugged in?

sva14

Simple and may be daft question, but say a TV is just plugged in with switch on, but TV NOT on standby.

Will it use any electric just by been switched on at the plug?

Or should one switch off or remove plug altogether

Premier_2

Check with a power meter.

I was surprised when I found my CRT computer screen uses power even when it is switched off i.e. not even on standby.

Farway

If it is switched off at the plug then no power can be consumed as there is effectively an open circuit

However with plug / socket in on position but TV switched off there may be a small amount of current drawn, by for instance a transformer in the line before TV switch, ideally with good design the tv mechnical button should be first item in the inside circuit, this is normally the case, but as premier says, his appears not to be

If in doubt, just switch off at plug, will also help in the unlikely event of lightning strike, but perhaps if this should occur a new TV on the insurance would be preferred?

Sirbendy

as has been said - it depends. Ours has a proper on/off switch and doesn't (checked with plug in meter)..others do. I run the entire A/V stack off a multi-way, and flick that off at the mains when I'm done.

PCs are a swine for it, monitors also. Even our A rated washer draws 9 watts if "off" on the front panel but plugged in..the same as an energy saving bulb!

Your best plan is to invest in a cheap plug in energy monitor..mine was about £20. You can see what is and is not playing nice..and take action accordingly.

Considering I use a fiver a week in electric, just because I do CFLs, no standby and everything off unless in use, I think it's the best thing I've ever purchased...

Everyone at work thinks I must live by candle-light and listen to a wind-up radio...heh..