Belkin’s power bar has built-in timer to cut phantom draw
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Tue September 29, 2009
Belkin intros energy-conserving power bar
Belkin on Tuesday announced the release of its Conserve Surge with Timer power bar, which has a built-in timer to eliminate power draw when an office workstation is not in use. The power bar is meant for but not limited to use in offices, where IT energy costs are unnecessarily high due to the phantom power draw from turned off devices or computers in standby mode. Related devices such as printers, lamps, speakers, scanners and other accessories are also disconnected from the electrical outlet when the timer runs out.
The Conserve Surge with Timer has six auto off outlets that are controlled by the timer, while two outlets remain powered all the time. Each of the six timed outlets can be turned on or off, with the power eliminated after 11 hours. Employees and IT managers are warned by a blinking LED on each of the six buttons that the power is about to be cut off. There is a main on/off button that has an extension, allowing it to sit on a user's desktop to control all six timed outlets.
The Conserve Surge with Timer is now available, priced at $35.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
so much?
$35 bucks for a timer switch, on/off switch, and surge protector?
I've had certain studio equipment on it a plug strip connected to a $5 timer for years now, and i can guarantee you it's still cheaper to buy the pieces separately.
And only 2 'always on' plugs? For anyone working on a desktop machine, you know you're going to need more than that. That why you should by two for $70! (+tax, or course)
No, two regular plug strips, having one on a generic timer is much more effective, useful, and affordable.
Also, are people really still buying the hype of this phantom draw "issue"? There are certainly bigger devices that draw many times more power than chargers that can have a greater effect on energy bills if a very few steps are taken. Also, aren't people at home more likely to want to charge their devices at night while they sleep? There's a lack of useful in that particular selling point...