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'There are an estimated 190 million cell phones in the United States. A quick back of the envelope calculation says that the combined stand-by usage of all those cell phone chargers, each sucking a measly watt, could add up to 190 megawatts per day. That's enough to power approximately 100,000 homes!'*
This is my take on a Green Project that is simple, low cost and can be adapted for anyone's use.
My idea comes from the thought of simplicity. I already grab the charger's connector every time I unplug and plug in my phone, so why add another step to disconnect the charger from the mains?
By connecting the switch directly to the charging cord, it's as simple as a light pull to fully disconnect the charger from the power grid. Although the title says 'Yank the Plug!', don't actually yank on it. It's easy to pull lightly and switch off the power.
A Green Fact:
Unless a device has a mechanical on/off switch that fully disconnects it's internals from the mains power supply, it's still drawing electricity from the wall. A stereo uses power to "listen" for it's remote and a power adapter will be transforming electricity from 120V to ~5V all day no matter what. Unplug these devices or use a mechanical switch to disconnect them when they're not in use
There is a video demonstrating this Instructable in Step 7.
Plea: Please vote for the Epilog Challenge!
*source: found all across the web - taken from www.change.org
This is my take on a Green Project that is simple, low cost and can be adapted for anyone's use.
My idea comes from the thought of simplicity. I already grab the charger's connector every time I unplug and plug in my phone, so why add another step to disconnect the charger from the mains?
By connecting the switch directly to the charging cord, it's as simple as a light pull to fully disconnect the charger from the power grid. Although the title says 'Yank the Plug!', don't actually yank on it. It's easy to pull lightly and switch off the power.
A Green Fact:
Unless a device has a mechanical on/off switch that fully disconnects it's internals from the mains power supply, it's still drawing electricity from the wall. A stereo uses power to "listen" for it's remote and a power adapter will be transforming electricity from 120V to ~5V all day no matter what. Unplug these devices or use a mechanical switch to disconnect them when they're not in use
There is a video demonstrating this Instructable in Step 7.
Plea: Please vote for the Epilog Challenge!
*source: found all across the web - taken from www.change.org
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Signing UpStep 1Materials
I bought everything new, not only because they're cheap components, but because I wanted to make a good looking project for you guys.
It came out a little differently than I'd expected, but it'd be simple enough to make another using what I know now and parts found around the house or shop.
A Green Tip:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Find these parts at the thrift shop or in Grandma's basement!
Hardware:
Shallow Wall Electrical Box - $1.09
Pull Switch - $3.49
Extension Cord - $3.79
Other Items You'll Need:
Heat Shrink Tubing or Electrical Tape
Tools:
Wire Stripper
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Total:
$8.37 and about half an hour of your time
MacBook Pro's camera isn't the best, sorry.
It came out a little differently than I'd expected, but it'd be simple enough to make another using what I know now and parts found around the house or shop.
A Green Tip:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Find these parts at the thrift shop or in Grandma's basement!
Hardware:
Shallow Wall Electrical Box - $1.09
Pull Switch - $3.49
Extension Cord - $3.79
Other Items You'll Need:
Heat Shrink Tubing or Electrical Tape
Tools:
Wire Stripper
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Total:
$8.37 and about half an hour of your time
MacBook Pro's camera isn't the best, sorry.
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-Z.
1) You can use scrounged parts, or find deals to keep the price low
2) Power strips and foot switches don't have the same simplicity of a gentle tug on the cord. Instead, you'll have to reach down to the plug, or use your foot to control the switch.
It's a matter of opinion, but I feel this is the simplest way to disconnect the charger from the grid.
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here are some sites:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/inside-transformer.htm/printable
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/how_it_works/transformer.html