Difference between revisions of "Power switch"

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{{rewrite|reason=Cleanup and format standardisation}}{{infobox main|building|
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{{infobox main|building|
 
|name = Power switch
 
|name = Power switch
 
|image = PowerSwitch.png
 
|image = PowerSwitch.png
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|resource 2 amount = 1
 
|resource 2 amount = 1
 
|destroyyield = nothing
 
|destroyyield = nothing
}}{{Info|A '''power switch''' is used to toggle power of the [[Power conduit|conduit]] lines connected to it. It provides an efficient way to control power to several appliances all at once, such as a large array of [[improvised turret]]s.
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}}
The 'Toggle power' button is used to request the switch to be flipped. A colonist with the 'flick' job type will flip the switch.  
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A '''power switch''' is used to toggle power of the [[Power conduit|conduit]] lines connected to it. It provides an efficient way to control power to several appliances all at once.
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== Acquisition ==
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{{Acquisition}}
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== Summary ==
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Power switches transport [[power]], much like a [[conduit]]. An active power switch must be directly connected to a power conduit, [[battery]], or source of power for electricity to transmit. They cannot be uninstalled, only deconstructed at the usual loss of half the material.
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Power switches can be turned on or off, by selecting the ''Toggle Power'' gizmo. A colonist must travel to the switch and physically turn it off. This is considered a Basic work task.
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* When the power switch is ''on'', the inspect pane displays <tt>'Power: On'</tt>, and the center of the power switch shows a pale circle.
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* When the power switch is ''off'', the inspect pane displays <tt>'Power: Off'</tt>, and the center of the power switch is dark.
  
<p>To construct a switchable circuit simply place the power switch along a line of conduit between the [[Power#Power generators|power source]] and the appliances.
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==Analysis==
While one of the switch's connectors must connect to conduit to a power source, any or all of the three remaining connectors can be used to create branches. A switch can be placed directly adjacent to a [[battery]] or other power source, but the player will probably find it desirable to place the switch close to the appliances it's meant to control. Appliances won't connect directly to a switch, they only connect to conduit.</p>
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Power switches can be useful for turning multiple [[batteries]] or other appliances on or off. With batteries in particular, switches can be used to create a backup grid. The [[short circuit]] event will discharge any ''connected'' batteries' power, leaving ones behind an off switch unaffected.  
  
<p>When the power switch is ''on'' the inspect pane displays <tt>'Power: On'</tt>, and the center of the power switch shows a pale circle.</p>
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Power switches can also turn other devices on or off. Its utility with other appliances is somewhat limited - see below for details.
<p>When the power switch is designated to turn off, the 'Toggle power' button displays a red X.</p>
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<p>When the power switch is ''off'' , the inspect pane displays <tt>'Power: Off'</tt>, and the center of the power switch is dark.</p>
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===Reconnect trick===
<p>When the power switch is designated to turn on, the 'Toggle power' button displays a green check mark.</p>
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The intended purpose of a power switch - turning multiple devices off at the same time - is largely inefficient when considering the ''Reconnect'' gizmo.
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<p>The power switches main purpose, turning devices off to conserve energy, is considered by many more experienced RimWorld players to be redundant, due to the fact that if you have a single unpowered wire the same distance from a device as the power line, if you press the "reconnect" button the devices connection will switch over to the unpowered wire instantly, and the device can be powered again if you press the reconnect button again. So for experienced players, the power switch performs a different role, which is to have a backup power storage, to help mitigate the [[Events#Zzztt...|Zzztt...]] event. The [[Events#Zzztt...|Zzztt...]] event drains all batteries connected in the given power grid it affects, however if you have a TURNED OFF power switch between the grid that is hit by the event and the backup grid, then the batteries in the backup grid do not lose any power, meaning all thats needed to bring back electricity it to temporarily flip the switch on. Though if you do this, remember that when your other batteries have recovered, to turn the switch back off.</p>
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Place a single, unconnected [[power conduit]] within 6 tiles of any power consuming building. Using Reconnect will alternate the device between a powered line and the unpowered conduit. This is instantaneous; a colonist does not have to walk anywhere, and it can be done even when the game is paused. As batteries cannot (re)connect to distant power conduits, power switches are still required to toggle them on or off.
  
 
{{nav|power|wide}}
 
{{nav|power|wide}}
 
[[Category:Power]]
 
[[Category:Power]]

Latest revision as of 12:24, 27 September 2024

Power switch

Power switch

Switches power on/off.

Base Stats

Type
BuildingPower
Market Value
61 Silver [Note]
Beauty
-2
HP
120
Flammability
50%

Building

Size
1 × 1
Minifiable
False
Placeable
True
Passability
standable
Terrain Affordance
Light

Creation

Required Research
Electricity
Work To Make
200 ticks (3.33 secs)
Resources to make
Steel 15 + Component 1
Deconstruct yield
Steel 7 - 8 + Component 0 - 1
Destroy yield
nothing

A power switch is used to toggle power of the conduit lines connected to it. It provides an efficient way to control power to several appliances all at once.

Acquisition[edit]

Power switches can be constructed once the electricity research project has been completed. Each requires Steel 15 Steel, Component 1 Component and 200 ticks (3.33 secs) of work modified by the construction speed of the builder.

Once constructed, they cannot be re-installed, they can only be deconstructed.

Summary[edit]

Power switches transport power, much like a conduit. An active power switch must be directly connected to a power conduit, battery, or source of power for electricity to transmit. They cannot be uninstalled, only deconstructed at the usual loss of half the material.

Power switches can be turned on or off, by selecting the Toggle Power gizmo. A colonist must travel to the switch and physically turn it off. This is considered a Basic work task.

  • When the power switch is on, the inspect pane displays 'Power: On', and the center of the power switch shows a pale circle.
  • When the power switch is off, the inspect pane displays 'Power: Off', and the center of the power switch is dark.

Analysis[edit]

Power switches can be useful for turning multiple batteries or other appliances on or off. With batteries in particular, switches can be used to create a backup grid. The short circuit event will discharge any connected batteries' power, leaving ones behind an off switch unaffected.

Power switches can also turn other devices on or off. Its utility with other appliances is somewhat limited - see below for details.

Reconnect trick[edit]

The intended purpose of a power switch - turning multiple devices off at the same time - is largely inefficient when considering the Reconnect gizmo.

Place a single, unconnected power conduit within 6 tiles of any power consuming building. Using Reconnect will alternate the device between a powered line and the unpowered conduit. This is instantaneous; a colonist does not have to walk anywhere, and it can be done even when the game is paused. As batteries cannot (re)connect to distant power conduits, power switches are still required to toggle them on or off.