standbypower
Standby power, also known as vampire power or vampire energy, is electrical energy consumed by a device when it is plugged in but not actively performing its primary function. In this standby or sleep state, a device may be ready to respond to a remote control, display information, perform routine checks, or maintain network connectivity. Standby power is distinct from no-load power, which occurs when a device is completely disconnected from a power source, but the two concepts are related in discussions of energy efficiency.
Most consumer electronics draw some standby power because they contain microprocessors, clocks, sensors, and network interfaces
Regulatory and voluntary standards have sought to reduce standby power in recent years. Various jurisdictions have
Strategies to reduce standby power include unplugging rarely used devices, using switched or programmable power strips,
See also: phantom load, energy efficiency, power management, green computing.