Saving electricity with power strips
27-8-2021
Translation: machine translated
Multiple socket outlets make up for the lack of wall sockets in homes. Not only do they save space, they also save electricity - at least in part.
Sockets can be found in most rooms, but they are rarely in sufficient quantity. My old flat is a good example of this. It's impossible to watch a film on Netflix, with the lamp on, while charging my smartphone without a power strip that multiplies the number of sockets available by three, six or even ten.
Unfortunately, power strips create another problem: all those devices plugged in simultaneously consume a hell of a lot of electricity. Yet we should be limiting our consumption as much as possible in order to protect the environment... and our budget. It may seem paradoxical, yet power strips also provide a solution to this problem, provided you choose the right models.
The switch
You're probably familiar with the red On/Off switch on power strips. When it's off, it reliably cuts the power supply to the appliances plugged into it. This is because televisions, routers and other computers consume electricity even when they are put on standby. Most power strips have a button that switches all the sockets on and off simultaneously. But on some models, this is done individually, for more precise adjustment. Having to operate the sockets manually all the time is probably not for everyone, as it requires a certain amount of discipline. On the other hand, these power strips are cheap.
Remote control switches
Remote control switches are a little more practical. Sockets also have to be switched off manually, but at least you don't have to get up from your sofa. And you'll probably remember better to turn your sockets off or on if you have the remote under your nose.
The master/slave function
Don't worry, despite its name, this function has nothing to do with "Fifty Shades of Gray". It automatically helps you save power. Power strips of this type have one main socket, the master, and several secondary sockets, the slaves. When you put your appliance on standby, not only does the socket it's plugged into stop receiving power, but all the other slaves switch off too. This is useful if you connect a computer, monitors and printer. When you switch off your computer, the sockets on the monitors and printer also switch off.
This model is therefore only useful if you combine devices. If you use them individually, you won't get much use out of it. If you opt for a power strip with a master/slave function, make sure you choose a model with an adjustable master trigger threshold. When the devices are on standby, the value should be below the trigger threshold, and when you switch them back on, it should exceed it again. If you can't select this threshold yourself, automatic triggering won't necessarily work on devices with higher or lower power consumption.
So the right power strips allow you to use your myriad appliances while saving power. All these solutions lead to Rome... or to cost and electricity savings, at least.
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.