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Frequently asked questions

FAQs and answers about AutoPowerOff plug banks.

How much power does an AutoPowerOff plug bank use?
An AutoPowerOff plug bank with the Energy  Saving Label typically consumes 1 watt or less. If you would like to measure the consumption of your own AutoPowerOff you should use a good quality power meter such as a SparOmeter. Read more about electricity meters
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How much does an AutoPowerOff cost, and where can I buy one?
AutoPowerOff plug banks recommended by the Trust start at EUR 5.50. You can find them in radio and TV retailers, telephone stores, builder's merchants, DIY chains and supermarkets, etc.
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What equipment can I connect to an AutoPowerOff plug bank?
Generally, you can connect all equipment that you use together with a computer and TV. If in doubt, you should read the operating instructions to check whether the device can be switched off via an AutoPowerOff plug bank.

  • Game consoles
    Game consoles can have a hard drive which fail if it is not closed down properly before the power is switched off. This applies to consoles such as PlayStation 3 which can only be powered down when the console is on standby, Therefore it should not be connected to an AutoPowerOff plug bank.
  • DVD, VCR and hard drive recorders
    Because they do not have battery back-up, devices such as DVDs and VCRs, which record programmes when the TV is turned off, cease to function or the recording is ruined if an AutoPowerOff switches off the power while they are recording. You can solve the problem by plugging the DVD/VCR into the master plug, thereby allowing it to control the other equipment.
  • Modems and routers
    A standard modem or router should be able to be switched off without problems. Generally speaking an Internet connection will be ready a short time after the modem/router has been powered up. In some situations, however, it may take slightly longer for the connection to be made.
  • Printers
    Connecting an inkjet printer: Remember to switch off an inkjet printer using the on/off button before turning off he computer. This prevents damage to the print head.
    Connecting a laser printer: Read the operating instructions if you want to connect a laser printer. A printer may not always tolerate being switched off at the plug before it has cooled down. Therefore, use the printer's on/off button to power it down.
  • Devices with clock and channel settings
    All newer devices with clock and channel settings such as DVDs and VCRs can easily be plugged into an AutoPowerOff plug bank because they have battery back-up. However, on some older models without battery back-up all the settings will be lost if the power is disconnected for long.
  • Digital decoders (Set-top boxes)
    Read the manual, or ask the store whether you can connect your digital decoder to an AutoPowerOff plug bank. Digital decoders naturally require power to download programming guides and update software, so they don’t always work if the decoder is connected to an AutoPowerOff plug bank.
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Can I buy an AutoPowerOff with an earth plug?
Yes, SavePower, GN-Belysning and Garder sell AutoPowerOff earthed plug banks with 5 sockets for earthed plugs. Please note that some AutoPowerOff plug banks have so-called blank or 3rd hole, even though the plug bank is not earthed.
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Can I buy an AutoPowerOff plug bank with a dedicated data (EDP) plug socket?
Yes, SavePower, GN-Belysning and Garder sell AutoPowerOff plug banks with dedicated data (EDP) plug sockets.
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Is it possible to connect a computer with a dedicated data (EDP) plug to an AutoPowerOff plug bank without a data plug socket?
An IT department's security policy is responsible for deciding which equipment is plugged into which socket. Speak to the IT department if you have any doubts.

A data plug is designed to protect computer equipment against poor-quality power. This mostly applies to desktop computers. EDP plug banks have angled pins which prevents other equipment being plugged in by mistake.
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How do I find out if my computer equipment needs to be connected to an earthed socket?
In Denmark, there is no requirement for computers or computer equipment to be connected to an earthed socket. However, producers often recommend that a product should be connected to an earth socket. You should follow their advice if this is the case. AutoPowerOff plug banks with earth sockets are available from SavePower, GN-Belysning and Garder. Back to top

What do I do if my computer or computer equipment has an earthed plug but the AutoPowerOff plug bank doesn't?
You can swap the lead for one without an earthed plug, use an extension cable with a dummy earth pin, or use an AutoPowerOff with a dummy earth pin. You should, however, use an earth socket if the producer recommends this. You can buy AutoPowerOff plug banks with earth sockets from SavePower, GN-Belysning and Garder.
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Can I buy an AutoPowerOff plug bank with a dedicated computer power socket?
Several producers make an AutoPowerOff without a USB cable which has a dedicated computer power socket. This computer socket always needs to be ‘live’, but the plug bank switches off the other plugs connecting your monitor, printer, modem, etc. This means that you don’t need to connect the computer to a separate wall socket or power plug, which frees up an extension cable or wall socket.
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Do AutoPowerOff plug banks switch off all the power used by a computer or TV?
When you turn off the computer and TV, the equipment connected to an AutoPowerOff plug bank is switched off. The TV and computer remain on standby however, unless you have purchased one of the newer types of AutoPowerOff plug banks such as PowerSafer PSX and Standby Power Strip, which switch off all equipment in the plug bank via a remote controller.
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Can I use the telephone if I switch off the power to the ADSL modem?
Ordinary telephones function independently of an ADSL connection and therefore work even when the ADSL modem is switched off.

Conversely, an Internet telephone (IP phone) requires the Internet connection to be constantly live. In this situation you should not plug the ADSL modem into the AutoPowerOff plug bank.
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How many devices can I plug into the sockets?
You should never connect more devices than the plug bank can handle. Some AutoPowerOff plug banks with a master socket can only handle 300 W, and this can be a problem if you have a very large old TV for example, which uses a lot of power.

If the plug bank does not display how much power it handles you can check the Trust's list of recommended plug banks.
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When does an AutoPowerOff switch off connected devices?
In some cases, AutoPowerOff plug banks are set up to close down when you switch off a computer or TV. As soon as the plug bank registers that the computer or TV uses less than 20 watt, the AutoPowerOff switches off all connected appliances.

You can also get AutoPowerOffs controlled by a remote controller which allows you to switch off the plug bank yourself, thereby eliminating all standby consumption, including standby used by the computer and TV.
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Can an AutoPowerOff damage my equipment?
Generally speaking, an AutoPowerOff plug bank has no adverse effects on your equipment. If equipment is switched on and off frequently this can, in theory, degrade components as a result of temperature swings. In practice this is of little consequence.
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Can my AutoPowerOff plug bank present a safety hazard?
All AutoPowerOff plug banks must conform to official requirements such as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). In order for an AutoPowerOff to be recommended by the Trust, the supplier must submit 3 examples of the product to the Danish Technological Institute which will assess whether the plug bank is safe to use.

The Trust carries out ongoing quality control tests of products..

See the Trust's qualifying requirements for energy saving equipment.
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Why doesn't an AutoPowerOff switch off when I turn off the TV?
Some newer TVs have a power supply that makes an AutoPowerOff perform differently compared to one connected to an older TV. In this situation, the plug bank does not work with all devices.

AutoPowerOff plug banks are currently under development to suit the new TVs. If your AutoPowerOff does not work, you can try alternatives such as PowerSafer or Standby Power Strip. These function slightly differently to ordinary AutPowerOffs.
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Can I buy an AutoPowerOff with more than 5 sockets?
No, AutoPowerOff plug banks are produced with up to 5 sockets into which you can plug DVD, printer and other equipment. 
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Any more questions?
If so, please contact the Trust's Customer Service Centre.
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Page last updated 14.10.2010