These scam products have been about for a long time. They were originally sold by "salesmen" using a trick involving a display case. But recently they've been marketed aggressively on sites like Facebook from countries with poor financial accountability. The marketing generally has a story associated with it, often involving young inventors who defied the oil industry by sharing their marvellous invention with the world. The stories are all fake too. The images and video footage are either stock or stolen from other sites.
In reality the plugs do nothing to reduce measured power in your home.
There's even a risk that in the future when smart meters start measuring apparent power these units could end up costing you more.
The capacitors in them are often low quality and connected directly across the mains supply, so there is a risk of fire if they fail. As such, I recommend against using them.
If you really want one, they are available at their REAL price of about $5 from the main Chinese marketing sites. (Many are drop-shipped to online buyers.)
They generally contain a fan-motor capacitor of between 3-5uF and a small PCB to make the green power indicator light. Sometimes the capacitors are so low quality that they don't even connect them.
If you've bought one of these then your chance of getting a refund from the scammers is slim. Keep it as an unusual ornament and reminder to avoid online scams.
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16 thoughts on “Fake power saving plugs”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Raxa says:

    I never ever came across stuff like this here in Germany. That's why I'm subscribed to the channel! It's so weird and outlandish to me!

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars maarten yzer says:

    also looks like a lightning protect plug,does it work in the same matter?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Okurka says:

    And if you…

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rubus Roo says:

    I plugged 4 in & my meter actually went backwards. Scottish Power now owes ME money. true story.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Harris says:

    It makes me smile knowing people who don’t necessarily like electronics, are still getting Clive's wisdom in these shorts.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Karisma Productions says:

    the real scam here is the 25 percent missing from the aspect ratio

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ray Mitchell says:

    Probably should plug it into my OBD-2 port and it might save me fuel… or vice-versa… but it might explode like that 1000 uF cap… either way, this makes the e-scam electronics exciting. LOL

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SeanBZA says:

    About the only use is the case, if you need to have say a small case for a night light, this is perfect to put a few orange and red LED's in, with a repurposed phone wall wart, preferably one that is actually good quality, to drive them.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave Fredrock says:

    Yet another Fabulous and very helpful public service announcement brought to you by Big Clive with his decades of knowledge and experience shared here.

    Thanks Big Clive.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RS says:

    The only power saving switch that save powers is the one that does not connect !!
    But then the light or machine will not turn on, but it WILL save 100% power

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jrezky says:

    If you could save electricity by plugging in a box, your electric grid, or home, or the power company, or the electrical appliances you own would already have it.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Demef says:

    I bought ten of those things for my house, and my house burned down. Sure enough, I'm saving on my power bill now, from $300/mo down to $0/mo!

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ben C Naylor says:

    These remind me of the "jet technology" room heaters that plug into a 13A socket and heat a whole room in minutes for less than it costs to charge a toothbrush [sarcasm]. Their adverts use stock imagery to bolster their claims.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars says:

    They might be of limited use in very specific circumstances such as a really old fridge or something else with an old motor in it.. but most power providers don't charge for reactive power anyway unless you are a factory.. the small draw of the led will probably increase the average users electricity bill by a small amount hah.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JamesAllmond says:

    They work as good as those gizmos you just reviewed for cars! Home version one could say!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bigclivedotcom says:

    These scam products have been about for a long time. They were originally sold by "salesmen" using a trick involving a display case. But recently they've been marketed aggressively on sites like Facebook from countries with poor financial accountability. The marketing generally has a story associated with it, often involving young inventors who defied the oil industry by sharing their marvellous invention with the world. The stories are all fake too. The images and video footage are either stock or stolen from other sites.

    In reality the plugs do nothing to reduce measured power in your home.
    There's even a risk that in the future when smart meters start measuring apparent power these units could end up costing you more.

    The capacitors in them are often low quality and connected directly across the mains supply, so there is a risk of fire if they fail. As such, I recommend against using them.

    If you really want one, they are available at their REAL price of about $5 from the main Chinese marketing sites. (Many are drop-shipped to online buyers.)
    They generally contain a fan-motor capacitor of between 3-5uF and a small PCB to make the green power indicator light. Sometimes the capacitors are so low quality that they don't even connect them.

    If you've bought one of these then your chance of getting a refund from the scammers is slim. Keep it as an unusual ornament and reminder to avoid online scams.

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