Reduced power consumption while in standby is the key to energy conservation in inkjet printers

At Epson, we define total power consumption (Wh/day) as an indicator to measure the energy-saving performance of printers, and continue to make improvements in our designs. Since the amount of power consumed while an inkjet printer is in standby accounts for a large ratio of its total power consumption, it is effective to focus our efforts on this area. In order to reduce power consumption while in standby, we are creating designs to maintain low power consumption in those components where power supply can be reduced to the required minimum, as well as making use of low-power ASIC and highly efficient power sources.

The evaluation conditions These values are based on evaluation conditions used at Epson. 115V is used for calculation, based on U.S. specifications. These were calculated as 5 sheets of A4 color documents copied or printed/day, with 1 day defined as 8 hours with the power on and 16 hours with the power off. Power consumption will vary according to the customer's printer usage

Save electricity with auto off function on inkjet printers

The Artisan 730 and Epson Stylus Photo PX730WD and TX730WD all include a function that lets you configure the printer to turn off automatically after two, four, eight or twelve hours (off by default). The auto off timer can be set directly from the control panel based on your printing needs, leading to energy savings in the long run.

Reduced power consumption that accommodates usage by customers

Epson projectors feature innovations for reducing power consumption that accommodate the manner in which our customers use these products.

For example, projectors that have been designed for use on a desktop include a "sliding lens cover" that allows projection to be easily interrupted and restarted. These products include an innovation that automatically reduces lamp output when the customer closes the slide lens cover, to lower power consumption.

Projectors that have been designed to be installed on the ceilings of meeting rooms always have a power cable connected. In order to reduce power consumption when such projectors are not being used, we reexamined the power supply, adding a specialized circuit to achieve a standby power consumption of less than 0.5W in our new products starting in 2010. These improvements meet the regulations targeted for 2013 as stipulated in Lot 6 of the EU's ErP Directive^*.

* EU directive that requires environmentally considerate design for energy-related products.

Reducing power consumption in scanner ready mode with the use of LED light sources

CCD (Charge Coupled Device) scanners usually use a cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), but Epson has developed a scanner that uses a mercury-free & white light-emitting diode (LED) in 2007.

In the Epson Perfection V600 Photo, released in 2009, actual energy use during scanning was sharply reduced by doubling the scanning speed. The energy used in ready and sleep modes was reduced by using low-power ASIC chips and by limiting the number of points in the scanner to which power is supplied.

Reduction of total power consumption by electrophotographic page printers

The Epson AcuLaser C1750N and C1750W compact A4 color laser printers (launched in 2011) achieved a typical electricity consumption (TEC) value of 1.38 kWh. The new, energy-efficient design consumes 71% less electricity per week than the AcuLaser C1100 and C1100N models launched in 2005. Additional improvements include greatly reduced operation noise of only 49 decibels and a suction cooler that eliminates unpleasant exhaust ports. Now you can save electricity and enjoy a more comfortable office environment.

The evaluation conditions These are Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) values, based on measurement methods stipulated by the International Energy Star® Program. 230V is used for the AcuLaser C1750N/ 1750W, based on European specifications.

Reduction of total power consumption by thermal receipt printers

The thermal receipt printer TM-T88V supplements superior business printer functionality with environmental performance. Launched in 2010, it achieves high-speed printing of up to 300 mm/sec., yet uses 14% less power than the previous model (TM-88IV), and approximately 85% less than the TM-T88II launched 12 years ago in 1998*. Total power consumption is further reduced with a high-efficiency AC adapter and the use of a low-power ASIC chip that supplies power only when and where needed.

The evaluation conditions Figures calculated under Epson's test conditions, assuming 300 receipts per day, with the power on 16 hours/day and off 8 hours/day. 230V is used for the TM-T88V, based on European specifications. Power consumption will vary according to actual usage conditions. * These are reference values because the power consumed by the TM-T88II and TM-T88III when printing receipt patterns varies slightly.

Achievement of the low power consumption of an 8-bit flash microcontroller in a 16-bit flash microcontroller

Flash microcontrollers are used to control a variety of devices, such as consumer electronics products, remote controllers, and LCD panels. Epson has developed the S1C17 family of 16-bit flash microcontrollers, which achieve the low power consumption found in 8-bit flash microcontrollers.

SG-8003CE series programmable crystal oscillators that respond to needs for low power consumption

We have achieved compliance with 1.8V and 2.5V low voltages, which was not possible with conventional technology, as well as compliance at higher frequencies up to 166MHz, and reduced consumption current by approximately 50% when compared with the SG-8002CE series.

"Spring Drive" wristwatches that do not use batteries or motors

The Spring Drive is a unique drive mechanism that is powered by the unwinding of a mainspring that maintains accuracy by using precision signals from a crystal resonator. With no batteries or motors, this self-contained eco-mechanism relies on the wearer to generate the energy needed to keep time.