STMicroelectronics introduces new power chips that will significantly reduce standby power consumption in appliances, lighting and industrial equipment

     Spanning multiple electronic applications, STMicroelectronics, the world's leading semiconductor supplier, has introduced a new power management chip that meets the international zero standby power standard and is the first to provide intelligent management of wake-up functions for white good, lighting and industrial equipment. It also means that power vampires (devices that consume power even when they are turned off or idle) will no longer exist.

     Minimizing the standby power consumption of electrical equipment (also known as the power vampire) is a long-standing goal of designers, which has prompted the world to adopt the energy saving recommendations of international organizations such as the IEA, which are to reduce the standby power consumption of electrical appliances to less than 1W by 2010 and 0.5W by 2013. Today's most advanced power technology can reduce standby power consumption to less than 5mW, which is close to zero power consumption according to the IEC energy consumption standards for home appliances and office equipment.

     Despite energy regulations pushing companies to reduce the standby power consumption of individual appliances, the number of appliances in use around the world continues to increase. St's new VIPer0P IC will enable an effective zero-power standby mode for appliances such as dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and microwaves, thereby achieving energy savings and emission reduction goals. The chip is also suitable for lighting control, industrial equipment and air conditioning systems. VIPer0P introduces ST's unique patented intelligent power management technology, which can wake up system devices by touch screen or remote control, greatly improving user convenience.

     Matteo Lo Presti, Vice President, Industrial Products & Power Discrete Devices, ST: "Design engineers from leading brands in the global appliance market use our VIPer avalanche-rugged power chips to enable their products to pass the most stringent environmental design standards, The introduction of VIPer0P adds advanced zero-standby power technology to a VIPer product family already characterized by simplicity of design, energy efficiency and durability."