Most of the gadgets and electrical appliances consume some electrical energy while they are switched OFF or not performing their primary function. While the appliances are in their standby mode, some elements of them such as a soft keypad, light displays, miscellaneous LED lights continue to be energized even if the appliances are in the OFF state (plugged in but switched OFF). Such electrical power consumption in the standby mode is defined as the "vampire power".
The power consumed by the power supplies is also termed as vampire power. The term 'vampire' denotes the black cubes in the power plugs. Vampire power is also called standby power, phantom loading, electricity leakage.
PRODUCTS THAT DRAW STANDBY POWER
Many cell phone AC adapters waste 40% of the power they use by supplying a charge even if the batteries are fully charged. Standby mode of computers also has a short wastage of electricity. Almost all the equipment (TV, microwaves, etc) with an external power supply will draw standby power.
IS THERE ANY NEED FOR THIS STANDBY POWER?
Certain functions such as powering an internal clock, monitoring the temperatures in refrigerators, maintaining the network signal reception capabilities of cell phones require this standby power to be in action always.
HOW TO FIGHT THIS VAMPIRE POWER?
- Unplugging an electronic device while not in use is the key way to fight the vampire power.
- Use of power strip for the electronic devices will help in reducing the leakage of electricity. Turning off the power strip is equal to unplugging the electronic devices from the main power supply.
- Set electronics gadgets to energy saving mode.
About 5-10% of the total power consumption in residential buildings is the vampire loads. Due to poor design, many electronic devices waste power while in their standby mode. Purchasing energy-efficient equipment can save money on your power bills.
Insulation provided on the cables has both resistance and capacitance. So good insulation can fight this electricity leakage to an extent. But if the insulation gets damaged or old, the chance of electricity leakages from the cables are high. In order to protect against voltage surges, electronic equipment is provided with capacitor containing filters. This capacitive effect also contributes to the vampire power.
Finding the source of electricity leakage and measuring the quantity that is being leaked are the major ways to alleviate this vampire power. A leakage current clamp ammeter is a good option for this. Using these techniques also help in redistributing loads around the insulation in a very balanced manner.
Related Articles :-
