LCD Monitor. Is it necessary to be supplied when switched off? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ThunderZed
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 11:08:43 am
content: I've got an old Acer x193w led monitor for my PC and I've just got a Cyberpower cp900epfclcd UPS. When my PC and monitor are off I can see my monitor power consumption by UPS display and this is equal to 11W (while my PSU needs other 10W when switched off, so about 21W in total).I wonder if it's necessary (or recommended) to supply my lcd monitor when it's off. Afaik it's necessary for my PSU due to its capacitors, isn't it?

author: 50ShadesOfDirt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 02:26:59 pm
content: If, by switched off, you mean you are done with your computing session and don't need anything to be in "sleep" mode, then yes you can stick a power strip or other on/off method in front of both the PC and the monitor, and turn them off (after a proper OS shutdown). Should be no watts drawn at that point.If they are in "sleep" mode, per your power settings in the OS, then you might not want to kill power to the SMPS power blocks or your PSU.Both of those are switched mode power supplies (SMPS), which in most cases is always consuming/messing with the AC mains power, unless you have an on/off switch in front of them. Either by power strip with on/off switches, or by on/off switch blocks, I power off most of these when the device behind the SMPS isn't in use. I hope this cuts down on THD in the house wiring ...Hope this helps ...

author: mapleLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2023, 10:23:18 pm
content: Strictly necessary, no. TVs do stuff asleep now, so depends on whether you want it. Use a power strip if you dont or it will always draw.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2023, 11:00:58 pm
content: This isn't a TV, it's a computer monitor, there is no problem with cutting power.I really doubt it is drawing 11W when switched off though. Much more likely is the UPS is measuring apparent power rather than true power. If the power factor is less than unity the apparent power will be higher, but residential billing is based on true power, at least it is here.

author: mapleLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2023, 11:31:55 pm
content: A TV is a monitor. Unless semantics matter, in which case, please tell me more.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2023, 01:02:53 am
content: Quote from: mapleLC on February 27, 2023, 11:31:55 pmThey absolutely do matter. The TVs that "do stuff" when they are off are "smart" TVs that contain a built in computer. A monitor by definition does not have anything like this, it is just a monitor. The difference between a TV and a monitor is that a TV will have a tuner, audio hardware and usually these days an embedded computer that runs streaming apps, a monitor is just a video display and does not have a tuner or hardware to run apps.

author: mapleLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2023, 01:13:13 am
content: I think the common definition you are looking for is the ability to do broadcast television, whose old screw posts on the back were utilized as computer screens for those with some willpower back then. In that era a monitor was for security cameras. I suppose there is a distinction with a difference in all of this, a monitor was developed with a purpose, a TV with another, the fact that they cross pollinated makes it more than a semantic difference