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Shop > The Carpenter Group > PS1
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Need an extra transformer outlet? This allows you to plug in those bulky transformers without blocking other outlets on your surge protector. Also provides and extra outlet. TIP: Use with the Smart Strip Power Strip.
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BITS LTD. SMART STRIP POWER STRIP
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Energy
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Peripherals
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Outlets
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Indicators
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Energy
Does everything plugged into the Smart Strip Power Strip save energy?
No, only devices that would normally be left on or draw an idle current even after they have been turned off. It will save energy on almost all computer peripherals and home entertainment products. Computers tend to have the greatest energy savings when used with the Smart Strip Power Strip.
How does the Smart Strip Power Strip save energy?
It saves energy by electronically unplugging all of the devices that are plugged into the "Automatically Switched outlets" when the device plugged into the control outlet is turned off. This stops them from drawing any current without the need to turn them off or unplug them. Some devices still draw the same amount of power even when turned off, therefore using the smart strip or unplugging them is the only way to stop them from wasting power.
How much energy does it save?
While everyone's computer is different, the average home office computer system we tested wasted the equivalent of a 60-watt lamp when the computer was turned off and all the computer peripherals were left on. In a standard office environment where the computers are left on 24/7, the Smart Strip Power Strip can achieve a 73% energy savings. Almost all DSL Modems, Cable Modems, Routers and computer speaker systems do not have an energy saving mode or a power switch but save energy when plugged into the Smart Strip Power Strip.
24 hours x 7 days =168 hours per week total, if left on.
9 hours x 5 days = 45 hours per week used, if shut off.
168 hours total - 45 hours used = 123 hours of energy saved.
123 hours saved / 168 hours total = 73% energy saved.
Why do I not see a difference on my electric bill?
A normal electric bill varies by at least $20 month to month. The average savings that the smart strip will produce is $5-$20 per month and can easily get hidden in the above month to month variation. The savings can be measured and is great enough for the smart strip to pay for itself in 2 to 6 months.
I have balanced billing, will it help me save money?
Yes, every few months the utility company calculates your average usage and the energy saved by the smart strip will become part of that new calculation.
Peripherals
Is it good to shut off my computer peripherals?
Yes, when any electronic device is left on 24/7, the heat inside the components are constantly building up without any chance to cool down. This heat eventually weakens the electronic components and causes failure of that device. Devices today are designed to be turned off and/or go into a low power sleep mode without shortening its life span.
Does it work with the sleep mode of my computer?
If your computer has a true energy saving sleep mode, then it will turn off the automatically switched outlets when your computer goes to sleep. If your computer only shuts off the video when it goes to sleep and you have an ENERGY STAR Monitor, plug the monitor into the control outlet & the computer into one of the constant hot outlets. If computer does not have a true energy saving sleep mode and you do not have an ENERGY STAR Monitor, then we suggest downloading one of the programs from our download section of our web site. This will allow you to get the full energy saving benefits from our power strip.
What is sleep mode & how do I use it?
Most computers have a sleep mode but not all of them actually save energy. When your computer goes into this mode, it remains ready to use with a touch of your keyboard or movement of your mouse but uses less energy then when it is fully on. Some computers use so little power when in this mode, it is almost the same as being off while others only shut off the video to enable a ENERGY STAR LABELED MONITOR to save energy. Under control panels or preferences of most operating systems is a "energy smart strip power strip" icon that allows you to change the setting of your sleep mode. When your operating system is installed most of the time deep sleep is disabled, simply open the "energy smart strip power strip" control panel and change this setting.
When my computer wakes from sleep mode, my Smart Strip Power Strip does not work correctly. Why?
Not all hardware device drivers reset the device when your computer wakes up. Try the following solutions in order:
1. Look for and install an updated driver.
2. Move that device to the constant hot outlets.
3. Change the setting in your "energy xx" control panel to disable sleep mode or to turn off the computer instead of going to sleep.
When I turn on my computer, it says that power was turned off to my Printer. Why?
See the above note "When my computer wakes from sleep mode, my smart strip power strip does not work correctly. Why?"
Outlets
How do I install the Smart Strip Power Strip?
A typical configuration is as follows:
* Pencil sharpener, lamp, Palm Pilot or battery chargers are plugged into the constant hot outlets
* A computer or ENERGY STAR labeled Monitor is plugged into the control outlet.
* All of the computer peripherals are plugged into the switched outlets.No Software drivers are needed but you can
download some screen saver programs that will automatically shut off your computer if you forget.
Why does your power strip have control, constant hot and automatically switched outlets?
The Smart Strip Power Strip has 3 divisions because:
1. The first blue outlet closest to the power switch is used to control the switched outlets.
2. The next three red outlets are constant hot outlets for devices that always need power.
3. The remaining white outlets are all switched outlets that turn on/off with the device plugged into the control outlets.
Overview:
The switched outlets are automatically switched on or off when the device plugged into the control outlet is turned on or off respectively. All outlets including the constant hot outlets are switched off only with the power switch. Under normal use, the power switch remains on and the Smart Strip Power Strip does the switching for you - automatically.
What can I plug into the Smart Strip?
The Smart Strip Power Strip can be used anywhere a regular power strip is used. While only certain electronic devices will turn on the switched outlets when plugged into the control outlet, 4 of the outlets are always hot and can be used just like a normal power strip. Do not plug any device into the switched outlets that would be dangerous if it is automatically switched on.
Can I plug another power strip into the Smart Strip?
Yes, to add additional outlets, other power strips can be plugged into the constant hot and automatically switched outlets of our power strip. They will also be surge protected.
I do not have enough outlets. Should I hook up a second Smart Strip?
No the easiest and best way is to plug any standard power strip into our power strip. The standard power strip does not need surge protection because our power strip will protect those devices too.
I plugged my electronic device into the control outlet but the switched outlets never turn on. Why?
The Smart Strip Power Strip only senses current from motors, fluorescent lamps and high efficiency power supplies (computers and most but not all home entertainment products). Also some computers and audio/video equipment do not draw enough power to trigger the Smart Strip. If you have an LCG1/LCG2 contact us for a free upgrade to an LCG3/4. If you have an LCG3/4, use the adjustment to set the correct trigger level.
I plugged my electronic device into the switched outlet and it does not work. Why?
If the device in the control outlet has not activated the Smart Strip Power Strip, the red LED on the power strip will be off along with all of the devices in the switched outlets. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before returning your Smart Strip as a possible defective device, plug a normal 60 - 75 watt incandescent lamp into the control outlet. Switch the bulb on and off repeatedly while slowly adjusting the sensitivity knob from least to greatest sensitivity. If this solves the problem, the device you previously had in the control outlet may use too little or too much energy to trip the Smart Strip electronics. SmartHomeUSA can only accept defective returns if the Smart Strip fails in this test configuration!
I plugged my electronic device into the constant hot outlets and it is off. Why?
Check that the light inside the power switch and the power switch itself is on. If there is no lights at all on the power strip then the outlet you plugged it into has no power and try a different outlet.
Indicators
What is Normal?
under normal operation, the power switch lamp and the ground & surge Okay are always on. The Switched outlets lamp turns on/off with the switched outlets.
What do they mean?
Power Switch lamp indicates that power switch is on and power is available at both the control outlet and constant hot outlets. if this light is out check the power switch and the outlet that the power strip is plugged into.
Ground & Surge Okay indicates that both the ground to the Smart Strip Power Strip and the surge protection is functioning correctly. If this light is out, please check the ground going to the Smart Strip Power Stripb" first, if the ground is okay, then it means the surge protection part of the Smart Strip Power Stripb is NOT protecting your devices plugged into it.
Switched Outlets On indicates that the device plugged into the control outlet is on and has turned on the automatically switched outlets. This light will turn on and off with the device plugged into the control outlet.
Why do I have no lights on my Smart Strip and nothing works?
Check that the power switch is on. If it is then the outlet you plugged it into has no power and try a different outlet.
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