Glossary A–ZLetter P
Power consumption
Power consumption states how much electrical power a device draws in operation and is given in watts.
Multiplied by the operating time, it gives energy consumption in kilowatt hours. A device drawing 100 watts uses one kilowatt hour in ten hours.
In screen networks, consumption adds up across many devices and many hours. The display usually accounts for the largest share, and in LCDs mainly the backlight. The player needs comparatively little. Power consumption rises with the brightness setting; with OLED and LED surfaces it also depends on the content, as bright images need more than dark ones.
Operators should distinguish between the typical and the maximum value in the data sheet. The maximum value matters for protecting the electrical circuits, the typical one for cost calculation. Effective levers are well-matched operating hours, brightness control according to ambient light and darker backgrounds on self-emitting displays. Standby consumption also counts if devices are not switched off completely at night.