Smart Universal Power Adaptor Gives Hope On Energy Saving

[engine]

A technology that could help the environment by eliminating the need to ship a power adapter with every electronics device got a vote of confidence Friday

Most products today ship with a custom adapter that converts AC power from a wall socket into the correct DC power required for each device. Green Plug's technology allows each device to communicate its individual power requirements to the power adapter, allowing several devices to share one adapter.

The technology's success depends partly on getting support from electronics manufacturers, who will need to embed Green Plug's firmware into their devices so that they can send their power requirements to the adapter. That's why Westinghouse's support is significant.

Smart Universal Power Adaptor Gives Hope On Energy Saving [pcworld.com]

Anything that cuts back on the number of power adaptors would be good, imho.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Yes, I just bought a new mobile phone with yet another charger. I now have drawer full of these at home.

This is long overdue and it's not exactly rocket science.

[lawman]

My 12 year old just cleaned out his drawers. In one was a tangle of power adaptor cords that would choke a moose. Had no idea what device most of them went to.

[King_Fisher]

Amen to that Lawman! I've got two 5 gallon buckets full of cables, chargers,
transformers and other unknown devices in the garage. I am afraid to throw any
of them out in case I need them for some unknown, unseen future use!...KF

[Dabrowski]

Green Plug's technology allows each device to communicate its individual power requirements to the power adapter

So what voltage would be used for this communication? ;)

Agreed, long overdue. I thought ages ago, why don't they just build a 5, 9, 12 and other common voltages into the houses' own electrical system, so you'd have your normal 13A socket (UK) and next to it a kinda multiplug output thing?

Good move anyway. I'm all for green. I have a couple of those smart power strips that automatically kills the power when you turn your PC off. Fantastic.