"Sam" wrote in message
om...
i was horrified when after reading here that the standby mode of most
tv/vcr/cable boxes is around 4-10w.
if an 80w tv is on 2 hrs a day and standby 22, then you have standby
consumption which approaches that of usage!

my question is, does standby mode prolong the life of the device? if i
add a timer to cut off power from the wall socket during the night
will it theoretically shorten the life of the tube/vcr or cable box?

i will pay much more attn to the standby wattage specifications next
time.

thanks,
Sam

It really is a growing problem as the numbers of these devices increase.
Quite possibly the worst offenders are the class II transformers that are
everywhere, the old style heavy block wall warts and VCR's using magnetic
transformers, these usually have high resistance primary windings so they
can never draw enough current to overheat. If you look at the wattage input
and output ratings they rarely exceed 50% efficiency and a typical house has
at least 5-10 of them.