surge protector safety

Since you say that the switched outlets are turned on/off as the TV is turned on/off, then you must have the TV plugged into the control outlet.

The power bar is just monitoring the current flow through the control outlet to determine if that device is on or off.

The power is never removed from the control receptacle. If it were to be removed, then no current would flow when the device was turned on, and the power bar would have no way of knowing the device had been turned back on.

With regards to damaging a TV by removing and restoring the AC supply, I would say no-way.

Thanks Rick.

Maybe I should re-frame my question.

Will the TV last longer 1) the way I have it set-up now; or 2) TV is plugged into a regular surge protector and is on standby power when not in use

jacobins wrote: ↑ Will the TV last longer 1) the way I have it set-up now; or 2) TV is plugged into a regular surge protector and is on standby power when not in use

Well, I'm still assuming that the TV is plugged into the CONTROL outlet of your Trickle Star. If that is true, then.........

The TV will not see any difference between the Trickle Star, and a regular power bar (with or without) built-in surge protection. As I mentioned, the voltage on the CONTROL outlet is constant. Only the SWITCHED outlets lose power.

Now if you are asking about plugging the TV into a power bar that you turn on and off, then the answer is not as simple.

Any AC operated device can handle power failures and restorals. But if the circuitry isn't engineered properly, initial current flow in solid state circuits can be higher when first energized. That along with repeated heating and cooling cycles can reduce component life.

So turning off the power may save literally 50 cents a month in hydro costs, but it could shorten the lifespan of poorly designed devices.

You also should consider the balance between saving 50 cents, and the inconvenience of turning on the power bar each time before sitting in the Lazy Boy and using your remote or Google Assistant to actually turn on the TV.