Cob: electrical

[Amanda Peck]

"Phantom loads" only become important when you are off-grid.  All the little 
things like the clock on the microwave, the part of the TV that stays on so 
you can have instant on, all the clocks, LEDs and so on.  Get too many of 
them they can become important in a PV system.

Here's the phrase in context (from:
http://iseanetwork.org/newsletters/heliographs_fall_2001/ISEANewsBFVR.html  
)

"Phantom loads are managed by reminding the kids to turn off their lights 
and power strips when not needed.  Other loads such as stereo, TV, VCR and 
DVD are also on switched power strips."

Another one, from Southwest PV's web site:

"Are phantom loads really a big deal?

If you read many home power articles then you know phantom loads are one of 
our biggest problems. Phantom loads use electricity while providing nothing 
in return. A phantom load is any appliance that consumes power even when it 
is turned off. While they may seem small, they use power twenty-four hours a 
day. A 4 watt phantom load can cost about $22 a year on a RE system, a lot 
for an appliance that is supposed to be off.

Any appliance with an electronic clock or timer is a phantom load. If we 
want a clock we should use one that is mechanically wound, battery powered, 
or even electrical. But a clock in an appliance keeps the appliance's entire 
power supply "alive" just to tell us the time. Very inefficient.

Appliances with remote controls remain alive while waiting for the "on" 
signal from the remote. Any appliance with a wall cube is also a phantom 
load. A wall cube is a small box that plugs in to an AC outlet to power 
appliances. Wall cubes consume 20 to 50% of the appliance's rated power even 
when the appliance is off.

Most modern TV's, VCR's, stereos, computers, fax machines, and other 
electronics are phantom loads. They may contain a transformer, much like a 
wall cube, that stays alive even when the appliance is off and consumes 
between 50 and 200 watt-hours per day. They may also contain a filter or 
line conditioner, to clean up incoming power for the sensitive electronics 
inside, consuming 8 to 40 watt-hours per day.

Modern televisions have an "instant on" feature so we don't have to wait for 
the picture tube to warm up. We might as well call these TV's "always on". 
The most direct way to overcome phantom loads is to unplug the appliance 
when it's not in use. A more convenient technique is to use a switched plug 
strip. These short extension cords with multiple receptacles allow us to cut 
all power to multiple appliances with one flip of a switch. Use care when 
shopping for appliances that will run on a renewable energy systems. Models 
that are not phantom loads often have the fewest ball and whistles, but are 
the least expensive. "

Their web site is:
http://www.southwestpv.com/Catalog/Home%20Power/LOADANAL.HTM


..................
My honey was in electronics/electrical in the navy and taught same in
community college. He will be competent to do wiring.
Now, he's been out of the field for a few years and says he does not
recognize the term phantom loads on GFIs. He says either it's a load or not.
Will someone be good enough to explain this wrinkle? Thanks for your
perspectives on the topic..... :-) Mary

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