Abstract: Analog and digital power control switching circuits and power strips for use with various electronic devices and electrically operated appliances all enable a first device to control the powering or start-up of other devices. A smart power strip variation enables a user to energize all computer peripherals simply by turning the computer on or off. All embodiments comprise a sensing subcircuit that monitors AC current passed through the device or appliance plugged into a sensing outlet, which, in turn, generates a conditioned DC monitoring signal. A related control subcircuit driven by the monitoring signal powers suitable relays or transistors for activating downstream devices or appliances. All sensing subcircuits comprise a transformer primary, a capacitor, and at least one pair of anti-parallel diodes all connected in parallel. The stepped-up transformer output is rectified and filtered, yielding a DC monitoring signal delivered to the control subcircuit.