Method and apparatus to facilitate controlling the connection of a mains to a movable barrier operator power supply

A movable barrier operator having control circuitry to selectively cause movement of a corresponding movable barrier and a power supply that is operably coupled to a mains and is operably coupled to provide electrical motive power to components of the operator can be configurable to selectively disconnect a portion, but not all, of the power supply from the mains when full power availability for the components is not required. This power supply can comprise a less efficient first power supply and a more efficient second power supply. In such a case, these teachings can provide for disconnecting the first power supply from the mains when a higher level of power is not presently required. Meanwhile, the second power supply can continue to provide operating power to, for example, the aforementioned control circuitry to ensure ongoing functionality of the movable barrier operator.