Buy.com has the has the Belkin Conserve Power Switch (F7C016q) for $6 with free shipping. Features switch that cuts off power completely. 1-year limited warranty.
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$6 for a switch... ROFL!
now i could see if it had a wired remote where you could turn off your DVD player completely, but something like this used with a counter top coffee pot where you can just pull the plug is crazy lazy.
What if our appliances just had true off switches?
the only kitchen appliance we have that doesnt have a switch is the hot air popcorn maker for which we use a small power strip with a switch.
i believe they designed this plug with switch for things that use a trickle of electricity for memory and clocks, but you would have to reset those each time which would get old real fast. the other use might be for charging adapters so that the transformers arent on all the time, but why not just unplug those.
Can't think of a use for this thing. Unplugging the device accomplishes exactly the same thing and it's free.
Belkin has a ton of fairly nifty green devices, but this one is just dumb.
i bought this for the two air filters in the house. i eventually realized than even when switched off, the "electronic" part of the air filter stayed on and got quite hot. since it was still sucking enough electricity to get hot, i figured that was a waste. and it was annoying to unplug the things each time i turned them off. so, i got this. 2 complaints: 1) it sticks out from the socket about an inch. not a problem, except when your device is flush against the wall. 2) it has a light on it. i get it: the light helps to remind you to turn it off, but is annoying in a dark room. i will be covering it with electrical tape. apparently the guys above don't get it: this saves the annoyance of plugging/unplugging a device you use that wastes electricity. do you really want to plug and unplug something 730 times a year? didn't think so.
and $6 seems to be the lowest cost.
^ I don't really want to turn something on and off with a mechanical switch at the wall outlet 730 times a year either.
Even so, yes if what you had plugged in was consuming a couple watts of phantom power then by switching it on and off 730 times you'll have paid for the switch in under 3 years time. Multiply that by 10 devices and you'll save $20 a year by flipping switches 7,300 times, though personally, I wouldn't flip a switch 7300 times for $20 if you paid me to so...
I've used a switch like this to control stuff that was out of reach (like a fan on top of a cabinet).
You can get the same thing at Target or Home Depot, without the shipping, however.
The classic Edison vs. Tesla. AC to the House, DC runs the devices....Fail.
^ smithohio you must not get it yourself, but keep flipping those switches.
Kind of ridiculous that we need to go to these lengths in the USA to switch off electricity. In the UK (where I'm originally from) most sockets/outlets already come with built in switches:
http://www.bestelectricalsupplies.co.uk/ekmps/shops/bestelectrical/images/cedssk2dp-twin-switched-socket-double-pole-13amp-800-p.jpg
Even the splitter/extension lead sockets often have individual switches on them:
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00FvkTlDaPbmor/BS-Extension-Socket-UK-Power-Socket-British-Socket-Outlet-AD-405B-.jpg
Of course, the 240V in the UK can do a lot more damage to the human body than the 120V in the USA, so electrical safety is a higher priority there.
If instead of one socket you envision five and have some flexibility where the switch is placed, you'd get a simple five socket extension cord with an on/off switch that kills the power to FIVE sockets completely. The cost of such device is around $3. This deal doesn't seem to be a good one.
^ basic switched power strip 5 outlet $2-3
Cool gizmo gadget!
The reason for a switch rather than unplugging/plugging is that outlets are NOT rated for frequent unplugging (perhaps a few hundred times). The receptacles will loosen and not grasp the tines well, creating substantial possibility of arcing and starting fires, Many people unplug toasters at least daily against the possibility that the heaters will start a fire, thus creating an actual likelihood of fire problems from socket arcing. Till smal appliances come with actual power switches this is a useful alternative. So, for that matter, would be simply buying a dollar-store short extension cord and unplugging at the extension socket.
^ Every time you flip the switch on this you are also putting mechanical stress on the outlet contacts. Maybe not as much stress as plugging and unplugging, but certainly more than leaving a device plugged in.