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eGadfly
29th October 2009, 11:13 PM
If I unplug my cord from my laptop, but still have the cord plugged into the wall, does the ac adapter box leech any electricity? (there is no indicator light on the box, like is on some laptop cords)
MRC_Hans
29th October 2009, 11:35 PM
Yes. Your adapter box contains a converter, an electronic version fhe old-fashioned transformer. It will have an idle power consumption, probably between 0.5 and 1W. This is much less that its transformer equivalent and less than practically all kinds of appliances, but if you leave it plugged in for a year, it will consume between 4.5 and 9 KW/h.

Hans
eGadfly
30th October 2009, 12:10 AM
awesome answer!
jsiv
30th October 2009, 12:12 AM
Even if they use very little power when not connected, it's still worth unplugging all your power supplies and chargers when not using them, in case they feel like blowing up and setting your house on fire.
MRC_Hans
30th October 2009, 12:43 AM
Well, yes. Any equipment that is plugged in is a potential fire hazard. For modern equipment, it is a very small one, but it does exist.

Hans
jsiv
30th October 2009, 12:46 AM
Especially if it's cheap no-name stuff with poor quality control. Not that you necessarily have any of that.
eGadfly
30th October 2009, 08:01 PM
It's a Toshiba laptop. So, yeah, poor quality control. Honeslty, I am suprised the thing hasn't exploded at my fingertips whlie typing this reply.

I musta got one of the "good ones". :p
The Central Scrutinizer
30th October 2009, 09:08 PM
If I unplug my cord from my laptop, but still have the cord plugged into the wall, does the ac adapter box leech any electricity? (there is no indicator light on the box, like is on some laptop cords)

The electricity escapes into the air and causes cancer.
MRC_Hans
30th October 2009, 09:18 PM
Especially if it's cheap no-name stuff with poor quality control. Not that you necessarily have any of that.

Perhaps. Although if you were to look inside them (the power adaptors, not the computers), you will probably find the innards to be identical on a surprising number of different brands.

Hans
MRC_Hans
30th October 2009, 09:20 PM
The electricity escapes into the air and causes cancer.That is right, but I didn't want to create panic. However, if you make sure to place the unplugged DC plug so that it doesn't point in your direction, you should be safe.

Hans
six7s
30th October 2009, 11:21 PM
That is right, but I didn't want to create panic. However, if you make sure to place the unplugged DC plug so that it doesn't point in your direction, you should be safe.

HansThis only applies to laptops with an intact vial of smoke

To release the smoke from an AC device, connect directly to a high voltage, high amperage 3-phase DC supply
eGadfly
31st October 2009, 01:05 AM
just outta curiosity, does this also apply to anything with a "black box"? For example, our phone chargers stay plugged in 24/7 with or without a phone.
The Central Scrutinizer
31st October 2009, 07:03 AM
just outta curiosity, does this also apply to anything with a "black box"? For example, our phone chargers stay plugged in 24/7 with or without a phone.

Point them away from you or you'll get cancer. I didn't know that until recently.
Kestrel
31st October 2009, 09:09 AM
just outta curiosity, does this also apply to anything with a "black box"? For example, our phone chargers stay plugged in 24/7 with or without a phone.

Yes, "wall warts" do draw some current even when they are not attached to the device. The current they do draw shows up as heat. If they don't feel warm to the touch, or only slightly warm, they are using only a trivial amount of electricity.

You can buy a meter to find out exactly how much energy is being used. I bought this model (http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4460-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B000RGF29Q) just last week.