[Boatanchors] Wall Warts and Switcher Power Supplies

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

The ones used in desktop and tower computers (rectangular box with fan and 
external ON/OFF switch do present some sort of very small load when the 
computer is off but the external switch on the PS is on.  I learned the hard way 
(due to forgetfulness, twice) that bad things can happen if you plug the 
line cord into an UPS with the external switch OFF and then turn the switch 
ON.  Within about a six-week period, I destroyed two 1500 watt UPS's doing 
that.  There was no warning note in the papers that came with the supplies, 
either.

However, in the sense meant by the original question, the PS won't stay 
warm like the wall wart will.

In a message dated 11/27/2012 07:18:55 AM Central Standard Time, 
rbethman at comcast.net writes: 
> By far, the largest number of switching PS are those in computers.
> 
> Unless you leave the computer running, they are NOT on as the wall warts.
> 
> My $0.02 worth.
> 
> Bob - N0DGN
> 
> On 11/27/2012 7:59 AM, David C. Hallam wrote:
> >Do switcher PS continue to draw current whether or not they are in use 
> >as do wall warts?
> >
> >David
> >KC4DH

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480