[clug] Re CO2 footprint of Searches: Storm in A Tea Cup or Deep Green Issue?

[Robert Edwards]

Alex Satrapa wrote:
> On 09/09/2009, at 14:34 , jm wrote:
> 
>> The think to keep in mind here is that these thing have huge fixed 
>> energy costs and very low variable energy costs. To the example of the 
>> printer which consumes 24W in standby and 25W while printing.
> 
> on a totally different tangent, I'm wondering why a printer requires 24W 
> when on standby, while the computer controlling it "only" consumes 2W on 
> standby.
> 
> I find it misleading to label something as "standby" when all that 
> really means is, "lights on the front panel are switched off".
> 
> Alex
> 

I'm _guessing_ that what Alex meant was that the printer was drawing 24W
when not printing, but otherwise all warmed up and ready to print, vs.
powered down with just the standby light on?

I recently purchased a "Click" 4-way wireless remote-control powerboard
from Bunnings (some of you who have been to previous presentations of
mine at CLUG know what is coming next...). Anyway, this powerboard draws
17W whilst just sitting there with nothing plugged in! At least, thats
what my el-cheapo Jaycar power meter reports - it may be wrong. In any
case the power board was getting quite warm just sitting there on the
floor. I have since modified it and it now uses 2W sitting there
listening for wireless signals, and up to 4W when all the internal
relays are activated and doesn't get anywhere near as warm.

Point is, these things are made assuming that the consumer doesn't
really understand how to measure standby power.

Cheers,

Bob Edwards.