An energy discharge resistance is isolated from storage capacitance containing a voltage charge until power is removed from the storage capacitance. Then the discharge resistance may be coupled to the storage capacitance to drain residual charge therefrom. The discharge resistance is coupled to the storage capacitance when external power is removed and is un-coupled from the storage capacitance when external power is applied to the storage capacitance. In this way, unnecessary power draw during operation or standby of an electronic system is substantially eliminated.