An apparatus and method for reducing the level of power consumption in an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a standby mode or low-power mode. The level of power consumption is reduced by alternately shutting off standby power and turning on standby power to the electronic device. A standby cycle timer circuit is provided for automatically controlling the supply of standby power to the electronic device during standby mode. The standby cycle timer circuit becomes inactive when the electronic device resumes normal operation.