Advanced power strips automatically cut electricity to devices in standby mode, slashing wasted phantom power.
Advanced power strips (APS) are the upgrade your entertainment center has been missing. They don’t just give you more outlets — they actively hunt down and eliminate the electricity your electronics waste while sitting idle. A TV that’s “off” still draws power for its remote receiver; a game console in standby still sips electricity waiting for a voice command. An APS stops that drain automatically, without you remembering to flip a switch.
How Do Advanced Power Strips Work?
An APS monitors one “control” outlet and uses its activity to manage the other outlets. Plug your TV into the master outlet, and the strip watches that outlet’s power draw. When the TV is on, the strip energizes the switched outlets powering your soundbar, game console, and streaming box. When you turn the TV off, the strip senses the drop in current and cuts power to those same outlets, starving your peripherals of their standby power.
Different models use different sensing technologies:
- Current-sensing: The most common type. It detects the control device’s electrical draw and switches peripheral outlets on or off to match.
- Motion/occupancy: Uses passive infrared sensing to cut power when no movement is detected in the room for a set period — good for office lighting and equipment.
- Timer/schedule: Turns outlets off at user-set times, ideal for predictable routines.
Which Outlets Do I Use For Which Devices?
Getting the most from an APS comes down to outlet placement. A typical Tier 1 strip offers three outlet types: Master, Switched, and Always-On. The layout is straightforward: the control device goes in the master outlet, the devices that should die with it go in switched outlets, and anything needing constant power goes in always-on outlets.
Utility programs like Efficiency Vermont’s guide to advanced power strips recommend putting your modem and cable box in always-on outlets, since they need power around the clock to keep your internet and TV service working. Peripherals like speakers, game consoles, and DVD players belong in switched outlets — they only matter when the main device is running.
| Outlet Type | What Should Go There | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Master / Control | The device that signals when you’re using the setup | Television |
| Switched / Energy-Saving | Peripherals that should turn off with the master device | Soundbar, game console, streaming stick |
| Always-On | Devices needing constant power | Modem, cable box |
Are Advanced Power Strips Worth It?
For most households, yes. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings program has published a technical specification for advanced power strips, acknowledging them as a legitimate tool for reducing standby power in homes and commercial buildings. The savings come from killing the phantom loads that make up a surprising slice of household electricity use.
A few limits are worth knowing:
- Calibration matters. Some current-sensing strips have adjustable thresholds you may need to tune so the strip reliably detects your control device’s power draw.
- Low-draw devices can be tricky. If the master device draws very little power even when “on,” a current-sensing strip might not detect it properly.
- Surge protection varies. Many APS units include surge protection, but the quality differs by model — check the specs before relying on it for expensive gear.
An APS is a set-and-forget investment. You plug it in once, arrange your devices correctly, and it quietly eliminates standby waste for years. If you’re replacing a plain power strip anyway, the small price difference buys real energy savings. The best advanced power strips we’ve tested offer adjustable thresholds, quality surge protection, and enough outlets to handle a full entertainment center.
FAQs
Do Advanced Power Strips Save Money?
Yes, though the exact amount depends on how much standby power your devices draw and how often the strip cuts it. The DOE’s Better Buildings program recognizes APS technology as a strategy for reducing plug loads in offices and homes, and the savings accumulate month after month.
Can I Plug My Computer Into An Advanced Power Strip?
Yes. Plug the computer into the control outlet and put your monitor, printer, and speakers into switched outlets. When you shut down the computer, the strip kills standby power to the peripherals. Keep your modem and router in always-on outlets so your network stays up.
Are Advanced Power Strips The Same As Surge Protectors?
No. A surge protector shields electronics from voltage spikes and does nothing about standby power. An advanced power strip reduces standby load. Many APS units do both — but the two functions are separate, and not every APS includes surge protection.
References & Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings. “Technical Specification for Advanced Power Strips.” Defines APS types, outlet configurations, and performance criteria.
- Efficiency Vermont. “Advanced Power Strips.” Explains how APS work and where to use them in the home.
- U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings. “Saving Energy Through Advanced Power Strips.” Outlines plug-load reduction strategies using APS technology.