Standbystrøm

Standbystrøm, or standby power, refers to the electrical power drawn by devices when they are plugged in but not actively in use. It covers modes such as standby, sleep, or off that still keep essential functions running, such as clocks, memory, timers, remote controls, or network connectivity. Devices may draw power to be ready to respond instantly or to maintain settings even when they appear off.

Common sources of standbystrøm include televisions, set-top boxes, game consoles, routers, modems, chargers, and computers in sleep mode. Even chargers can draw current when a device is not charging, or when the charging circuit remains connected to the mains. The amount of power per device is typically small, ranging from fractions of a watt to a few watts, but the total effect can be noticeable in households with many devices.

The impact of standbystrøm lies in energy waste, monetary cost, and environmental effects from the additional electricity generation required. As devices become more energy-efficient, standby power has declined in many regions, but it remains a concern because it is continuous and often unseen.

To reduce standbystrøm, consumers can unplug devices when they are not needed, use power strips or outlets with switches to cut power to groups of devices, enable energy-saving settings, and choose equipment designed to minimize standby consumption. Regulatory measures in many regions, such as efficiency standards for standby power, aim to limit unnecessary draw and promote more efficient designs.