Plug loads refer to electric power consumed by products through an ordinary alternating current plug socket.

FORBES: Energy Waste Rebounds: Top 10 Energy Pigs in the Plug

It looks like an ordinary cassette adapter that you'd plug your iPod or mp3 player into and play music in your car, but it goes a couple of steps further.

ENGADGET: The Engadget Interview: Paul Griffin, CEO/founder of Griffin Technology