Optiwatt plug in energy saver

Qyburn

Some of these devices, if you read past the flannel, claim to correct power factor. While that might sound good in general, to have any significant effect it would need to be much more substantial than a little plug in widget. I'm not even sure if PF correction can be done dynamically, adapting to leading or lagging PF.  But the killer is that domestic property isn't charged in kVAh, we're metered and billed for kWh. So now actual reduction in bill even if you corrected to perfect 1.000

debitcardmayhem

These work very well if the switch is on the off position 

tim_p

You could market these as Stoptiwatt. 

Qyburn

debitcardmayhem said:

These work very well if the switch is on the off position 

It's leaking out of those sockets.

pseudodox

You could plug one of the "saver" units into every socket in the house & secure them with strong "quack" tape.  That would stop anyone plugging in an appliance that would use electricity.  Ta! Da!  Instant saving!

WiserMiser

tim_p said:

You could market these as Stoptiwatt. 

I spotted your typo, extra i.😈

born_again

pseudodox said:

You could plug one of the "saver" units into every socket in the house & secure them with strong "quack" tape.  That would stop anyone plugging in an appliance that would use electricity.  Ta! Da!  Instant saving!

Just like that 🤣

Qyburn

born_again said:

Just like that 🤣

Seriously, for a moment, no ...
https://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/

matelodave

In the good old days you could poke a screwdriver into the earth pin and access the live and neutral but none of the sockets that I've seen in the past few years have allowed that as they have relied on the l &N pins to complete the opening sequence.

I'm not suggesting that there aren't a few of the older ones about but I don't really think that scaremongering really helps. I'm sure that these things have saved a lot more lives than those that have had problems by someone trying to defeat the safety features by using one and killing someone one or burning the house down.

Qyburn

We were speaking about these at the hall, where they used to use them. In the cupboard I found one with its earth pin broken off, and in the small hall I found a power point jammed open with the broken off pin still in place.

I understand the argument that some sockets aren't opened just by the earth pin, but doesn't that also mean there's no earthly point in fitting something that holds all three open.