Switch off & unplug

BexTech

Altarf wrote: »

Wrong. Some mobile phone chargers still draw power when there is no mobile phone plugged into them, but not all of them do.

The vast majority do though, if not all. I've yet to hear of ones that don't.

Altarf

BexTech wrote: »

The vast majority do though, if not all. I've yet to hear of ones that don't.

Switched mode power supplies (as supplied with just about every modern mobile phone), not the conventional transformer power supplies (as supplied with older phones), which the 'standby' usage figures are quoted for.

tr3mor

Altarf wrote: »

Switched mode power supplies (as supplied with just about every modern mobile phone), not the conventional transformer power supplies (as supplied with older phones), which the 'standby' usage figures are quoted for.

If your charger is very light then it doesn't draw power when in standby.

If it is heavy enough to swing around your head and use like a medieval mace then it does.

Simple.

gromituk

I don't know where this idea comes from that switch mode power supplies don't draw quiescent current. They do, just like linear power supplies, but if designed properly they can draw less.

Cardew

tr3mor wrote: »

If your charger is very light then it doesn't draw power when in standby.

If it is heavy enough to swing around your head and use like a medieval mace then it does.

Simple.

Wasn’t it Michael Heseltine that swung a mace around his head? I always use a Flail.
But I believe neither draws any current.;)

tr3mor

Cardew wrote: »

Wasn’t it Michael Heseltine that swung a mace around his head? I always use a Flail.
But I believe neither draws any current.;)

I still vote mace

Then again I am built like a Russian hammer throwing lady

SusanCarter

I'd recommend turning your computer off at the wall regardless of any energy usage benefits if you are using a dial up modem. Reason is that apparently there are computer viruses which can make your modem dial up premium rate telephone numbers. If this is true then switching it off at the socket when not in use prevents this happening. Also, BT tried to use this as an excuse for a premium rate number appearing on my phone bill but I told them it was impossible due to the computer and modem being switched off at the wall (because of all the lights which shone if I didn't) so they refunded me the amount charged.

gromituk

Your computer can only acquire such viruses if it is fully operational. I guess the only way this could happen on standby is if the modem can cause the computer to wake up when it receives a call.

SusanCarter

gromituk wrote: »

Your computer can only acquire such viruses if it is fully operational. I guess the only way this could happen on standby is if the modem can cause the computer to wake up when it receives a call.

I don't think they are supposed to aquire the viruses when it's on standby but they are supposed to work when the computer has been left on standby. I really don't know whether it's true or not (hence why I said "apparently") but that is what BT tried to claim must have happened in my case but I was able to argue my point on the basis of having had the socket switched off which was easier than trying to argue technical points about computer viruses etc. To be honest I think it's just an excuse for BT to get out of refunding money when they make mistakes but if your computer is switched off at the socket then you are protected from this claim.

OK_Sauce

Have you seen these? They work extremely well, particularly if you can't get to a wall switch.

http://www.!!!!!!/products/oneclick/energy-saving-intelli-plug-dsk-105/