What does the standby symbol on power switches really mean?

[dlgoff]

TL;DR Summary

I don't like this symbol and was wondering what others think.

You see this symbol on power switches, but what does it really mean?

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_symbol,

... the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby.

But the switches that I've seen the symbol on doesn't cause a "sleep mode" but powers the device on and off.

... Grrr

 

[Guineafowl]

I’ve always taken it to be an on/off symbol, a combination of a 0 and a 1.

Our Samsung TV uses it for on/standby, where standby is as ‘off’ as you can get without unplugging the thing. Maybe your confusion/annoyance lies with the modern melding of ‘off’ and ‘standby’. We can no longer wait that extra time for full boot-up, and must have our TVs at the beck and call of the remote control.

 

[Borek]

I always thought it is an old type switch seen from the top.

Doesn't make much sense now, something like diskette used for save buttons.

 

[DrClaude]

 

[darth boozer]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_symbol#Standards

 

[dlgoff]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_symbol#Standards

Yes boozer. That's from where I found the quote:

"... the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby."

 

[darth boozer]

Yes boozer. That's from where I found the quote:

"... the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby."

The key word is "Standards". If manufacturers choose to ignore the standards then they are to blame, not the symbol.

 

[dlgoff]

The key word is "Standards". If manufacturers choose to ignore the standards then they are to blame, not the symbol.

Yes. See @DrClaude's video about the symbol and the IEC at time 5:28.