Many homeowners believe that shutting down electrical appliances without necessarily turning off their extension cord switches completely cuts off the energy supply. However, the reality is starkly different.
Studies have shown that the average home or office loses 3 – 10% of electricity in standby power. While the percentages may appear insignificant at first glance, the cumulative effects can be devastating.
Entertainment systems, such as televisions and woofers, account for the bulk of standby power. Other common culprits include phone and computer chargers, water dispensers, and microwaves.
Many electricians recommend investing in an extension cord with a switch as the most proactive way to minimize standby power and lower your monthly energy bills. But how factual are these assessments?
Read below to learn more.
Introducing an Extension Cord with Switch
Extension cords are lengths of electrical cables featuring a plug on one end and one or multiple sockets on the other. True to their names, these attachments are designed to extend the reach of electricity from the wall outlets to nearby electrical appliances.
Now, an extension cord with switch is one that includes a built-in On/Off switch. They’re also known simply as switched extension cords.
To operate an extension cord with a switch, simply flick the switch to power the connected appliances on or off.
Where Is The Switch Located?
Many extension cords with switches feature a single switch for each outlet. The switches are typically positioned on the right side of each socket, often matching the number of receptacles the cable has.
However, certain cords have a master switch in addition to, or instead of, the individual outlet switches. The master switch is usually placed where the flexible cord begins.
A single flick of the master switch turns off all other switches, consequently powering down the connected devices.
For easy identification, most extension cord switches often feature distinct colors. Each switch may come in a shade that contrasts with the socket block.
How Do Extension Cords With Switch Minimize Standby Power?
Standby power refers to the amount of electricity drawn when an electrical device is turned off using its in-built On/Off button but not shut off at the extension cord. It’s also known as vampire load, perhaps due to its ability to creep up unnoticed.
Most electrical devices utilize standby power. The surest way to minimize this energy wastage is by plugging your appliances into an extension cord with a switch.
Switched extension cords let you shut off the current flowing from the circuit to connected appliances. They offer a quick and convenient way to cut off the power completely, even if you don’t necessarily unplug the devices or shut them down using their built-in power buttons.
According to many electricians, switched extension cords provide the most reliable way to deal with standby electricity. With a single flick of the switch, you’re able to disconnect appliances from the mains power supply.
To maximize the energy-saving abilities of switched extension cords, consider attachments that come with both a master switch and individual outlet switches.
The master switch will be handy whenever you need to cut the power supply to all connected appliances rather than to a single device. A classic use case is when you close your office at the end of each day and disconnect all your computer devices simultaneously.
Besides, you can rely on the master switch to minimize standby power if some of the individual switches are damaged.
It’s also worth noting that regular extension cords consume standby electricity as long as they remain connected to and turned on at the wall outlets. With switched extension cords, standby power is significantly reduced.
Extension cords with switches merely convey electrical current from the wall outlet to your appliances. By flicking off the master switch, the attachments won’t consume power.
Other Benefits of Switched Extension Cords
1. Remarkably Convenient
Extension cords with switches provide a more hassle-free way to connect electrical appliances than unswitched cords. With a switched cord, you have better control over which device gets connected to the mains.
Switched extension cords enable you to eliminate standby power without necessarily unplugging your appliances. You may also rely on the cords to control difficult-to-reach devices.
Moreover, you enjoy double convenience if a switched extension cord comes with a master switch.
2. Durable and Low-maintenance
Frequent plugging and unplugging of electrical appliances is a leading cause of extension cord damage.
Each time you push a plug into an extension cord, you exert significant pressure on the sockets. The force can gradually expand the outlets and accelerate wear and tear.
Using a switched extension cord reduces the need for unplugging appliances that are not in use. This minimizes damage to the receptacles, extending the cord’s longevity.
3. Enhanced Safety and Versatility
Plugging and unplugging electrical devices repeatedly doesn’t only shorten your extension cord’s lifespan. It can also increase safety hazards, such as shocks and electrocution.
Extension cords with a switch enhance your safety by enabling you to switch off individual appliances without having to unplug them. The cords can be particularly useful when handling power-hungry gadgets, where contact with the exposed prongs could lead to devastating accidents.
Besides, you can safely use switched extension cords with multiple appliances. Those include televisions, computers, phone chargers, microwaves, etc.
4. Cost-Effective
Switched extension cords typically have a higher price tag than their unswitched counterparts. That’s understandably due to the incorporated switches, which reduce standby power and provide extra convenience of use.
However, the fact that switched extension cords last longer makes them a more cost-effective investment in the long run.
Using these attachments minimizes the frequency of repairing or replacing your extension cords.
5. Easy Identification
As mentioned, the individual switches on switched extension cords are color-coded for easy identification.
You can immediately determine whether a device is powered on or off by looking at its corresponding switch.
Mastering the individual sockets by their colors can be particularly helpful when dealing with a mass of cords. It reduces the hassles of manually sifting through the cables for the specific appliances to power on or off.
Summary
An extension cord with a switch is a worthwhile investment for homes and offices. These attachments enable you to minimize standby power, potentially lowering your monthly energy consumption. Extended durability, enhanced safety, and long-term cost efficiency are other excellent things to love about switched extension cords.
However, investing in an extension cord with a switch is but one of the numerous ways to lower standby power loads. It’s best to consider other practical interventions, such as using ENERGY STAR products.