Roderick Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 As I mentioned in another thread, I caught a bit of a news item this morning about the UK banning devices that use standby power. However, the truth is not quite so dramatic, as I had heard before for the Australian scene, and now also revealed by Wikipedia : - "Sleep mode (or Stand-by mode) is supposed to place electronic devices into a state of "waiting for a power-up" command, in July 2006, the British Government announced it would outlaw standby mode on televisions and video players that do not meet minimum standby-mode power consumption standards (1 watt). It was found that standby modes on electronic devices account for 8% of all British domestic power consumption." "Modern televisions use only a small fraction of the power in standby mode (typically less than 10W). A modern HD LCD television will use only 1W or less when in standby mode (compared to 175W during standard operation). However, the risks of serious fire damage are increased since many people leave them in standby mode continuously when not in use, and when they are not at home. The risk of major fire damage originating from televisions left in standby mode is probably far below that for fires caused by other household appliances in regular use, such as ovens and refrigerators[citation needed]." So new equipment should be pretty good, by-and-large. However, I have this ADSL modem that runs quite hot itself, and also has a 9 volt AC adaptor that runs very hot. I hate to think what power it is wasting. The other day I tried to buy an efficient replacement, but could not find a 9-volt AC switch-mode adaptor. I don't think they make switch-mode AC adaptors. They are all DC. Several other devices run off AC adaptors -- the home security system, cordless phones, and watering system are three. Anyone got any ideas how to make these AC adaptors more efficient? Rod
DrP Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Anyone got any ideas how to make these AC adaptors more efficient? Like you said, replace them with small SMPS. Standard drop in replacement for the old linear plugpacks are readily available (I can easily buy 5, 9, 12 fixed ones and also variables), but some of them have pretty horrible efficiency. You'd probably find that all up your ADSL modem + standard plug pack is chewing around 14-15 watts. For people with Austar / Foxtel, thats a drop in the ocean compared to how much their STBs slurp up each day - even in standby mode.
Roderick Posted March 15, 2007 Author Posted March 15, 2007 Like you said, replace them with small SMPS. Standard drop in replacement for the old linear plugpacks are readily available (I can easily buy 5, 9, 12 fixed ones and also variables), but some of them have pretty horrible efficiency. DrP. In Dick Smith, Jaycar and Altronics the AC output adaptors are all transformer linear types. The only switchmode adaptors put out DC. It does not look like you can buy switchmode AC adaptors that that put out AC -- like those required for alarm systems, sprinklers etc. Where can you buy switchmode AC output devices? Rod
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