17 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

"The PumPing Tap is a spring loaded electrical socket that physically ejects plug belonging
to appliances/electronics that are not being used but are still drawing power in standby mode.
If, for example, you’ve just used the microwave oven but failed to unplug it when you’re done,
a lighted ring on the socket turns from blue to red. After 10 minutes if you still haven’t used the microwave or unplugged it, the grand finale occurs: a spring mechanism ejects the plug
right out of the socket. Pop!
What do you think? I’m going to say potentially irritating and somewhat unnecessary but kind of nifty nevertheless."

http://www.mnn.com/y...easily-startled

I agree with the writer-irritating.

[tigerlily78]

I also think it would probably be annoying. It seems rather like a gimmick for people who "care", but only if it doesn't require any thought or action on their own part.  

The fact that it is creating a new product to address a "problem" that can easily be dealt with WITHOUT a product just seems a little counterintuitive in terms of sustainability.

[msterees]

I agree, this problem could be a little annoying. It also seems like it would be counter-productive in that the cost of the product itself would eat up some of your savings. Better off just to place a sticky note on your microwave telling you to unplug it when you're done.

[zararina]

Seem to be a good product for someone who is too forgetful even to write note that it should be unplugged. LOL
It was just additional expenses in the household but still the idea of saving electricity is there and that is good. Maybe it could really be a useful tool/gadget in the future.

[mariaandrea]

tigerlily78, on 10 January 2012 - 05:52 AM, said:

I also think it would probably be annoying. It seems rather like a gimmick for people who "care", but only if it doesn't require any thought or action on their own part.  

The fact that it is creating a new product to address a "problem" that can easily be dealt with WITHOUT a product just seems a little counterintuitive in terms of sustainability.

I totally agree. What about the power needed to manufacture and ship this "energy saving" product? Short-sighted solution for lazy people.

[jasserEnv]

To be honest, a better idea would be to offer a plug that internally disconnects power after some time period, but allows a user to press a reset button on the plug to re-enable power for a short time. In any case, it really should be marketed to replace plugs that wear out or those in new construction to minimize the problems associated with creation and manufacturing of goods with little to no value.

One other point to also keep in mind is the idea of unplugging all those wall bricks when you don't need them. Collectively, they use a lot of power for no reason at all.

[joeldgreat]

Made for lazy and forgetful people. It maybe sounds ridiculous, but the inventor might have seen a potential market for this product. If not, then why bother to make such device? Honestly, how many of us had left our TV plug after each watch?

[Shortpoet-GTD]

joeldgreat, on 11 January 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

Honestly, how many of us had left our TV plug after each watch?

A lot of people, actually.
If you asked most people; they couldn't even tell you what a vampire draw was, or a phantom load.
We turn off our tv's/ computers/ stereos/ microwaves with clocks -etc. and think they're off; not drawing power.
But they are.
So many electronics have "stand by" modes, they're always drawing power. Some draw more when off, then
when they're on.
Items with remote controls-garage doors, ceiling fans, sky lights are all vampires.

"Vampire electrical loads or phantom loads waste energy.

These silent thieves also known as standby power or phantom loads and refer to devices that continue to draw power when supposedly "off".  One recent study showed that vampire loads or phantom loads account for approximately 7% of the electricity used in the U.S. or

Sixty four million megawatt hours,   costing over 3 BILLION dollars worth of energy."

This quote is from the U.S. Department of Energy...

"Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance."

http://www.savegreen...oads_cost_u.htm

Granted, this goofy devise may not catch on but it is a must to have a power strip. Whatever you plug
into that strip is shut down completely when you flip the switch.
Obviously, installation in an area that can be easily accessed is better. If you have to crawl under a desk
to shut it off, you (we) probably won't.
So many electrical devises have clocks in them, and that draws power that we don't think about.
http://www.national....calculator.html

[MakingCents]

I think it's a neat idea but could get irritating.  Also, what about people who want something plugged in for the kids to be able to go and use but don't want their kids having to worry about the safety of plugging things into the wall.  Also, what if you forgot about it and wanted something plugged in so as if to charge or not.  Would it know if say, the cell phone was done charging?  If it knew that I would like it for overnight. i could plug in the cell phone and it would only stay plugged in until it was charged.  It would be good for the environment, my energy bill AND my cell pone battery.

[jasserEnv]

A bit of electronics could use a tiny amount of power and easily monitor the amount of energy used to determine whether the device was simply keeping itself on or whether it was actually providing power for some useful purpose. If it was simply keeping itself on, the receptacle could shut off the power. There are low cost and low energy cost ways of solving the problem. The question is whether there is consumer interest.

[kathie_san]

I think this device could be of use for people who doesn't care about unplugging electronics just like my sister and his husband. :p I would gladly have a couple of these in my place because they always do not unplug the TV and electric fans whenever they come over. I would just wake up and see the plug still intact. Kinda annoying really!

[MakingCents]

I would be all for a device that could monitor when the electronic plugged in was no longer benefiting from the power- like a phone or computer that is done charging.  Those would be so useful!

[greenking]

What kind of device are you referring to? Is that a hi-tech charger? I think that device is already available...

[btatro]

Not worth it. I unplug things when not in use, but am not so obsessive that I am going to care too much if I forget to unplug something one time. Of it is already habit, I will probably remember the next time.

[ACSAPA]

kathie_san, on 13 January 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

I think this device could be of use for people who doesn't care about unplugging electronics just like my sister and his husband. :p I would gladly have a couple of these in my place because they always do not unplug the TV and electric fans whenever they come over. I would just wake up and see the plug still intact. Kinda annoying really!

You're right ,this could be useful for people who have roommates that don't remember or cooperate with unplugging appliances. If you live with people who are deniers or lazy ,this gadget could slightly mitigate the effects of their inconsiderate behavior. It does suck to live with people who don't do their part, and then you have to pick their recyclables out of the regular trash can and turn off everything they leave on. If they get startled by plugs popping out, oh well.

[Hardison]

I guess I will go against the grain. I can see how this invention would be helpful for seniors or people who have lost their memory. Perhaps it's because I'm currently dealing with my mother who is forgetting to turn off stuff. She also very touchy about the subject.

Now if someone would invent something that would turn of a gas stove when something is burning, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

[steph84]

I would totally want this because I forget to unplug things all of the time. The only annoying part would be having to plug them back in all of the time. It would save me a lot of money though.

[dissn_it]

I had a good laugh at visualizing this gadget at work.
Seriously though, I thought of senior citizens, too. I think they would loose patience with it fairly quickly though and simply not use it after awhile.