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An energy-saving socket concept that's not for the easily startled
The PumPing Tap is a spring-loaded electrical socket that physically ejects plugs belonging to appliances and electronics that are not being used but still drawing small amounts of energy in standby mode.
Wed, Jan 04 2012 at 8:00 PM
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Images via Yanko Design
Although I’m not sure if this will ever pan out beyond the conceptual stage — and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to those who are easily startled, have seen “Paranormal Activity” and its sequels too many times, or pairing it with the Ace Plug— the idea behind Seong Soyeon, Kim Seonmi, Lee Jeongjae, Park Jihye and Lee Yeontaek’s Red Dot Design Concept Award-winning PumPing Tap is certainly a conversation starter. It’s a spring-loaded electrical socket that aims to put an end to vampire power, juice that’s drawn from plugged-in appliances and devices when they’re not being used but remain in standby mode.
Here’s how the PumPing Tap works: 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!
As pointed out by the folks at DVICE, you’d have to be quite selective as to what exactly you ultimately decided to plug into a PumPing Tap. I’d definitely say no to things like refrigerators, wireless routers, or anything you have to reset every time that they’re unplugged. The same goes for appliances and fixtures plugged into sockets hidden behind furniture or other hard-to-access areas. But for certain things — think small kitchen appliances like coffee makers along with items like phone chargers, televisions, hairdryers and anything with a transformer — I see some potential. But what about that OLED ring, the senors and the eject function? Wouldn’t the PumPing Tap itself draw just as much electricity as the not-being-used appliances that are plugged into it?
What do you think? I’m going to say potentially irritating and somewhat unnecessary but kind of nifty nevertheless. I think I'll stick to my smart surge protectors for now.
Via [DVICE], [Yanko Design]
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Hmm...I would chose the Plugwise products over this any day. Has automatic stand-by killer included, without explosive effect, plus ability to create schedules, and to see what your devices are costing you in terms of electricity and costs, plus showing you your savings over time. Less gimicky = more effective.
Wouldn't it make more sense to just cut power off? A more effective solution is to brown out the current by lowering the voltage to the electrical device. This would keep the convenience of a device that is on standby, but lowering the "vampire electricity" that it uses.
It wouldn't make too much sense to pop the plug out using a spring. All you are aiming to do is cut the trickle power, so why not just use a solenoid to cut the electrical power to the primary device, without physically ejecting the plug?
no way I would use this for anything in my house. most things I know of have a timer or a clock on it that always draws and I would be really hacked if my coffee pot was unplugged right after making the coffee. the only thing I use that I unplug is my toaster and I don't need this to unplug it.
But those are exactly the sorts of things it's trying to stop. You'd be quite shocked probably by how much power we waste on phantom loads every year. If it's got a black adapter box on the plug, UNPLUG it when it's not being used! Your electric bill will thank you!
I used to get Mother Nature when was in Canada; always had very interesting issues, even ideas to build something for home, now I am happy again back into Mother Nature. Many things already knew, just come into a reminder again. A.Oscar
I would use it for my microwave, definitely. Don't want stray microwaves even while it's plugged in but not in use.
Microwaves don't actually do that. It's myth. Good to unplug it anyways tho, just to save the juice!