Panasonic Microwave using 70W all the time

[duncanbudd]

Both my parents microwave and mine - both Panasonic, but different models and vintages - were drawing 70W continuously just to drive the little LED clock. This was measured with an owl meter and also with a plug-in meter from Tchibo. Madness. I turned it off and my bills went down. Simple.

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

I led with the microwave because there are likely to be hundreds of times more of those in circulation than the posh mains block.

Duncan

 

[ad47uk]

Both my parents microwave and mine - both Panasonic, but different models and vintages - were drawing 70W continuously just to drive the little LED clock. This was measured with an owl meter and also with a plug-in meter from Tchibo. Madness. I turned it off and my bills went down. Simple.

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

I led with the microwave because there are likely to be hundreds of times more of those in circulation than the posh mains block.

Duncan

I have a Swan combination Microwave, I just done a test on it using a power meter and it uses 6 watts on standby. I find it hard to believe that your oven is taking 70watts just to run the clock. My oven is on it's way out I think, a few times if have come up with a error code and it was only on standby. I switched it off for a couple of days, switch it back on and it is ok now, but for how long? I am not going to get another one anyway, well I may get a cheap one at some point, the ones with dials.

 

[robh2002]

Both my parents microwave and mine - both Panasonic, but different models and vintages - were drawing 70W continuously just to drive the little LED clock. This was measured with an owl meter and also with a plug-in meter from Tchibo. Madness. I turned it off and my bills went down. Simple.

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

I led with the microwave because there are likely to be hundreds of times more of those in circulation than the posh mains block.

Duncan

Than does sound high. From my measurements, I''d expect less than 10W (in line with ad47uk) for a fluorescent clock display.

At 70W you're paying 32p a day to have that running 24/7, but doing nothing...or over £100 a year! Assuming £0.19/kWhr. We've got a 40W drain on the house when all but the boiler/alarm/clock are on. That's still nearly 20p/day £73...I wouldn't mind but we don't use the alarm...! Must turn it off tonight!

 

[ad47uk]

Than does sound high. From my measurements, I''d expect less than 10W (in line with ad47uk) for a fluorescent clock display.

At 70W you're paying 32p a day to have that running 24/7, but doing nothing...or over £100 a year! Assuming £0.19/kWhr. We've got a 40W drain on the house when all but the boiler/alarm/clock are on. That's still nearly 20p/day £73...I wouldn't mind but we don't use the alarm...! Must turn it off tonight!

sounds high to me as well.

 

[andykn]

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

A device drawing 400W of power will produce nearly half as much as much heat as a single bar electric fire. Any energy dissipated in sound or vibration will ulitmately be turned into heat as it hits walls or rubs on the floor and will only represent a small percentage of the energy consumed, most will be heat.

Unless your mains block is nearly half as hot as a one bar fire your owl is faulty. Try it on a 60W light bulb.

 

[fortean]

Just measured the power consumption of my Panasonic Microwave...

0.31 A or 74 W

....thank you Duncan.

 

[freischi]

I have bought a Panasonic Microwave NN-SD686S one month ago. My standby power consumption is 78 W !!!
Have used my meter many times with other equipment and it was always spot on.

Has anyone contacted Panasonic yet?

 

[robh2002]

I have bought a Panasonic Microwave NN-SD686S one month ago. My standby power consumption is 78 W !!!
Have used my meter many times with other equipment and it was always spot on.

Has anyone contacted Panasonic yet?

I have to say these numbers are absolutely obscene. How Panasonic can allow this sort of power consumption is beyond me - I'd be taking the microwave back if I were you. It will be costing over £100 in electricity costs.

If any one contacts Panasonic, can you please post the reply here?

Thanks.

 

[NikB]

How do you do these measurements?

 

[fortean]

How do you do these measurements?

You can buy a meter like this one from Maplin to do it...
Plug-In Mains Power and Energy Monitor > Maplin

I used an AVO meter via a plug and socket to take measurements.

 

[ad47uk]

You can buy a meter like this one from Maplin to do it...
Plug-In Mains Power and Energy Monitor > Maplin

I used an AVO meter via a plug and socket to take measurements.

It is the Maplin meter which I have got on loan at the moment from a mate of mine. I just wanted to be nosy6 to see how much power things take. since my mate had a meter, I borrowed it.

 

[freischi]

I have spent a few hours yesterday attempting to confirm the 78 Watts drawn in standby as indicated by my portable meter:
I first turned off all electrical appliances and confirmed that no current was drawn on the main power meter of my house.
Then I plugged in the microwave (standby) and worked out the consumption: If was definetly less than 5 Watt!!!
So the Microwave is fine after all and my portable meter can somehow not cope with this device. It was indicating a power factor of 100%, perhaps it can not work out the power factor of the microwave?

 

[robh2002]

I have spent a few hours yesterday attempting to confirm the 78 Watts drawn in standby as indicated by my portable meter:
I first turned off all electrical appliances and confirmed that no current was drawn on the main power meter of my house.
Then I plugged in the microwave (standby) and worked out the consumption: If was definetly less than 5 Watt!!!
So the Microwave is fine after all and my portable meter can somehow not cope with this device. It was indicating a power factor of 100%, perhaps it can not work out the power factor of the microwave?

Phew!

 

[cheekymonkeyme]

I shall have to invest in one of they monitors from maplins and get testing

 

[southone]

Mine uses 13w when its microwaving and under 1w when its doing nothing its a 2 knob one without clock

 

[southone]

Both my parents microwave and mine - both Panasonic, but different models and vintages - were drawing 70W continuously just to drive the little LED clock. This was measured with an owl meter and also with a plug-in meter from Tchibo. Madness. I turned it off and my bills went down. Simple.

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

I led with the microwave because there are likely to be hundreds of times more of those in circulation than the posh mains block.

Duncan

I would get that checked 70w,s cant be right

 

[robh2002]

Mine uses 13w when its microwaving and under 1w when its doing nothing its a 2 knob one without clock

I'm sure you don't actually mean 13W when it's cooking food! If your meter actually says 13W - it's broken! It should be more like 500 - 800W - check the label on the back.

 

[Miyazaki]

Mine uses 13w when its microwaving and under 1w when its doing nothing its a 2 knob one without clock

Does it cook the food just using the light bulb inside it?

Surely the drive mechanism that spins the turntable inside it should use at least that, and the bulb at least that again before the microwaves are even generated.

 

[bigtel28]

I tested my Panasonic microwave (Clock only) at the weekend using a calibrated meter. Came out at 81.6 watts.
It is now turned off until I need it!

 

[bigtel28]

That was 81.6 VA not watts. They are normally the same but not with same devices with high inductor circuits.

Turns out its only 3 watts !!!!!

Panic over!

 

[fortean]

That was 81.6 VA not watts. They are normally the same but not with same devices with high conductor circuits.

Turns out its only 3 watts !!!!!

Panic over!

Just checked mine again taking in to account the power factor and like bigtel28 found my Panasonic microwave is using only 3 watts.

Not sure if I'm pleased or not since I can't now save £40 a year by switching off the microwave.

 

[bigtel28]

I had already spent my £100 saving!!!
Never mind I did miss the clock for a week!!

 

[jt666]

Both my parents microwave and mine - both Panasonic, but different models and vintages - were drawing 70W continuously just to drive the little LED clock. This was measured with an owl meter and also with a plug-in meter from Tchibo. Madness. I turned it off and my bills went down. Simple.

The owl also spotted that my audiophile 8-way mains block was drawing 400W continuously. I found this difficult to believe - it was only mildly warm, but it was also buzzing slightly so maybe the extra energy was dissipating through sound and vibration. Turned that off; bills went down a lot. (It's 6 years old and I think some of the conditioning components need replacing).

I led with the microwave because there are likely to be hundreds of times more of those in circulation than the posh mains block.

Duncan

You are right our Panasonic microwave used 66W/h while doing nothing
Our Panasonic washing machine uses the same , 1p per hour = £7.00/ month = £84/year and it doesn't even have a display

 

[w0z]

You are right our Panasonic microwave used 66W/h while doing nothing
Our Panasonic washing machine uses the same , 1p per hour = £7.00/ month = £84/year and it doesn't even have a display

You're almost certainly measuring out of phase power, most Panasonic microwaves have a terrible power factor, the in-phase power is only a few watts, mine is the same, I've measured both You aren't paying for the out-of-phase power but your electricity generator is.
Think of it this way, imagine your microwave was a 60 W bulb in a box, how hot would it be if on permanently? Your microwave would be cooking the food without having to switch it on. It's not consuming 70W in standby, it may however be reading 70VA.

 

[Cliff]

^^^ Agreed... Could be 70 VA. Power factor is either inductive or capacitive. Probably the real consumption in under 5watts...that's what you pay for.