Efficiency Regulations: Driving power conversion efficiency designs

In recent decades, government agencies developed programs to improve the efficiency of our electronic products and appliances. A 1999 study estimated that up to 10% of electricity consumed by residential products was wasted when products had been turned off by consumers [1]. Early efficiency programs focused on minimizing the amount of power consumed by these so-called energy vampires while in off mode. Newer efficiency metrics look at reducing energy waste in all operating modes.