merry christmas and happy holidays everyone, i put this under green building because its an energy conservation issue. i am about to build a docking station for 4 cell phones and i got to thinking wondering if the plug in transformers to charge cell phones are always drawing current even if the device is disconnected. if they are than i belive each plug should be on a switch so power can be stopped instead of disconnecting each transformer when not in use. thank you in advance for your input.’
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They constantly draw some current. A switch would be a good idea, but not so much to conserve electricity as to possibly prolong the life of the chargers. I actually believe the energy required to produce the switch would be more than the saved energy.
It's my understanding that there's anti "vampire" legislation in place, so that, after a date certain, all of the transformers are supposed to default to "off" when not in use.
'Course, there's a zillion ac adapters/transformers out there, too.
Your idea of a "dock" is a good one. I kind of like using a bit of plug mould, to give room for the form factor of the transformers. Two strips, staggered can make for a compact situation. The other reason I like plugmould, is that you can then put an elcetrolumnescent-lit night light in, which will give immediate evidence of whether or not the swithch is on (only thing worse than discharged things is unplugged chargers).
Merry Christmas.
You will not save the planet or your power bill by switching or unplugging your transformer. When the charger is not in use you are talking milli amps.The money spent for the switch and wire would be better spent on some other conservation device.