unpowered

Unpowered refers to objects or systems that lack an active energy source or drive mechanism at a given moment. It may be intentional, such as devices turned off, or inherent, as when a mechanism is designed to operate without external power using manual, gravitational, or wind-driven energy. The term is used across fields to contrast with powered or motorized states.

Common examples include hand tools (hammers, screwdrivers), hand-cranked radios, pedal-powered equipment, wind-up clocks, and many mechanical devices that rely on human input or stored mechanical energy rather than electricity or fuel. Unpowered operation can reduce energy consumption, emissions, and noise, but it also limits speed, duration, and the magnitude of tasks.

In transportation, unpowered means lacking a propulsion system. Unpowered aircraft, such as gliders, rely on rising air currents, altitude, and wind, while unpowered boats use oars or sails. Vehicles parked with engines off are also considered unpowered until started.

In electrical and electronics contexts, an unpowered circuit or device has no supply voltage present. Safety standards distinguish between unplugged devices and those with stored energy in capacitors. When power is removed, many systems enter a safe, unenergized state, though some residual energy may remain briefly.

Unpowered is also used for describing infrastructure or networks temporarily without power, for example during maintenance or outages. The term emphasizes the absence of an energy source rather than the permanent decommissioning of an asset.