electrical power strip

Has anyone done this? All electrical devices I'm taking to Europe will
work on dual voltage, 110 to 250 volts. Rather than bring numerous
adapters and hunt for numerous outlets in a hotel room, I'm considering
bringing one adapter and a power strip. Put the adapter on it and
voila, it's a 220V power strip and now I plug in my US plug items into
it and only need one adapter and one outlet.

I would plan to not be an idiot and try to run several hair dryers at
one time, but if I run several low draw items this way (shaver,
camcorder battery charger, etc.) I would think it should work (that is
a question). Sure the power strip says its only for 110 voltage, but
that's cause they don't want some idiot plugging it into his 30 amp
dryer or electric range outlet here in the states and frying anything
plugged into it, including him/herself.

My understanding is that the load in amperage is more the limiting
factor (thus no hairdryer this way) of the wire gauge used in these
devices, which typically run 16 gauge.

So, without a lengthy discussion of ohm's or Watt's law, or the need
for an electical engineering degree to understand the inevitable
replies, will this work or am I one of the afore mentioned idiots
(please note I am asking first)?
Thanks

The only thing I would like to add is: Make sure the power strip is
not surge protected. As the 50hertz will take out the circuitry and
the strip will be usless. I know I done that been there. Otherwise I'm
am using a basic powerstrip in Germany and it works fine. Just make
sure you don't overload the transformer, some are fused and others are
not. Bring a couples of fuses just in case ..

Have a nice trip


On 22 Feb 2005 02:37:33 -0800, "Romeo Raabe" <mbwa@netnet.net> wrote:

>Has anyone done this? All electrical devices I'm taking to Europe will
>work on dual voltage, 110 to 250 volts. Rather than bring numerous
>adapters and hunt for numerous outlets in a hotel room, I'm considering
>bringing one adapter and a power strip. Put the adapter on it and
>voila, it's a 220V power strip and now I plug in my US plug items into
>it and only need one adapter and one outlet.
>
>I would plan to not be an idiot and try to run several hair dryers at
>one time, but if I run several low draw items this way (shaver,
>camcorder battery charger, etc.) I would think it should work (that is
>a question). Sure the power strip says its only for 110 voltage, but
>that's cause they don't want some idiot plugging it into his 30 amp
>dryer or electric range outlet here in the states and frying anything
>plugged into it, including him/herself.
>
>My understanding is that the load in amperage is more the limiting
>factor (thus no hairdryer this way) of the wire gauge used in these
>devices, which typically run 16 gauge.
>
>So, without a lengthy discussion of ohm's or Watt's law, or the need
>for an electical engineering degree to understand the inevitable
>replies, will this work or am I one of the afore mentioned idiots
>(please note I am asking first)?
>Thanks

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:27:41 GMT, Deep Foiled Malls wrote:

> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <bogey0@> wrote:
>
>>The only thing I would like to add is: Make sure the power strip is
>>not surge protected. As the 50hertz will take out the circuitry and
>>the strip will be usless. I know I done that been there. Otherwise I'm
>>am using a basic powerstrip in Germany and it works fine. Just make
>>sure you don't overload the transformer, some are fused and others are
>>not. Bring a couples of fuses just in case ..
>
> They make some without any fuses? How do they deal with an overload
> situation?

I don't know of any appliances or 'multiplugs' in Germany or Austria that
have fuses at all. Occasionally you can get an upmarket (read expensive)
one that has an overload protector bit that's generally designed for surges
from outside, rather than equipment overloads. They certainly don't have
any in the normal individual plugs.

--
Tim C.

John Bermont wrote:
>
> I have used an American power strip in combination with a 220/110
> transformer so as not to exceed the 110 volt specification on the
power
> strip. Considering the size and weight of a power strip versus the
> "numerous adapters" you are bringing, I suggest that you bring an
> adapter for each of your devices and buy a 220v/50Hz power strip in
> Europe when you arrive.

Or, depending on how many devices you are bringing and how expensive
they are, considering buying appliances when you get there. You can
bring them back to the US and use an adapter or you can leave them
behind.

If it's just a hairdryer you need, they presumably will have cheap
twenty-euro hairdryers made in the same Chinese factory which makes the
$25 hairdryers at your local Mall*Wart....

On 22 Feb 2005 07:02:19 -0800, Timothy wrote:

> If it's just a hairdryer you need, they presumably will have cheap
> twenty-euro hairdryers made in the same Chinese factory which makes the
> $25 hairdryers at your local Mall*Wart....

Except that here they'll cost Eur 25 :-(

--
Tim C.

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 15:30:37 +0100, Tim Challenger
<tim.challenger@aon.at> wrote:

>On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:27:41 GMT, Deep Foiled Malls wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <bogey0@> wrote:
>>
>>>The only thing I would like to add is: Make sure the power strip is
>>>not surge protected. As the 50hertz will take out the circuitry and
>>>the strip will be usless. I know I done that been there. Otherwise I'm
>>>am using a basic powerstrip in Germany and it works fine. Just make
>>>sure you don't overload the transformer, some are fused and others are
>>>not. Bring a couples of fuses just in case ..
>>
>> They make some without any fuses? How do they deal with an overload
>> situation?
>
>I don't know of any appliances or 'multiplugs' in Germany or Austria that
>have fuses at all. Occasionally you can get an upmarket (read expensive)
>one that has an overload protector bit that's generally designed for surges
>from outside, rather than equipment overloads. They certainly don't have
>any in the normal individual plugs.

I was refering to the up/down transformer he is planning on bringing
over. For a few a dollor or so more he can also get a fused strip. Or
he can purchase a fused strip (220v) when he arrives at wally wolrd or
Media Mart

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 17:06:48 +0100, Bogry0 wrote:

> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 15:30:37 +0100, Tim Challenger
> <tim.challenger@aon.at> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:27:41 GMT, Deep Foiled Malls wrote:
>>
>>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <bogey0@> wrote:
>>>
>>>>The only thing I would like to add is: Make sure the power strip is
>>>>not surge protected. As the 50hertz will take out the circuitry and
>>>>the strip will be usless. I know I done that been there. Otherwise I'm
>>>>am using a basic powerstrip in Germany and it works fine. Just make
>>>>sure you don't overload the transformer, some are fused and others are
>>>>not. Bring a couples of fuses just in case ..
>>>
>>> They make some without any fuses? How do they deal with an overload
>>> situation?
>>
>>I don't know of any appliances or 'multiplugs' in Germany or Austria that
>>have fuses at all. Occasionally you can get an upmarket (read expensive)
>>one that has an overload protector bit that's generally designed for surges
>>from outside, rather than equipment overloads. They certainly don't have
>>any in the normal individual plugs.
>
> I was refering to the up/down transformer he is planning on bringing
> over. For a few a dollor or so more he can also get a fused strip. Or
> he can purchase a fused strip (220v) when he arrives at wally wolrd or
> Media Mart

Oh, my mistake. What exactly is a 'power strip' then? I assumed it was just
like a multiway?
A long strip with sockets in it and one plug on a lead - does it have a
transformer or what?

--
Tim C.

Too bad some responders cannot read.

Yes, what you want to do will work. The worst that will happen is that you
will fry your strip, tho that is highly unlikely.

All you are, in fact, doing is giving your adapter several outlets instead
of just the one that it comes with.

I love the devices that work on a wide range of voltages...sure simplifies
the life of a traveler.

I thought about that but decided not to risk using a 110 strip at 220.
My solution was to buy a 220 strip in europe and bring a bunch of
converter plugs to change the sockets. It makes me feel safer.

If you really want to bring something I would recommend a very heavy
duty short extension cord from Home Depot. The kind that is 2 foot long
with a 3 way plug at the end. That should give you enough plugs but be
a bit sturdier than the strip. I would buy a high voltage strip though.



Romeo Raabe wrote:
> Has anyone done this? All electrical devices I'm taking to Europe will
> work on dual voltage, 110 to 250 volts. Rather than bring numerous
> adapters and hunt for numerous outlets in a hotel room, I'm considering
> bringing one adapter and a power strip. Put the adapter on it and
> voila, it's a 220V power strip and now I plug in my US plug items into
> it and only need one adapter and one outlet.
>
> I would plan to not be an idiot and try to run several hair dryers at
> one time, but if I run several low draw items this way (shaver,
> camcorder battery charger, etc.) I would think it should work (that is
> a question). Sure the power strip says its only for 110 voltage, but
> that's cause they don't want some idiot plugging it into his 30 amp
> dryer or electric range outlet here in the states and frying anything
> plugged into it, including him/herself.
>
> My understanding is that the load in amperage is more the limiting
> factor (thus no hairdryer this way) of the wire gauge used in these
> devices, which typically run 16 gauge.
>
> So, without a lengthy discussion of ohm's or Watt's law, or the need
> for an electical engineering degree to understand the inevitable
> replies, will this work or am I one of the afore mentioned idiots
> (please note I am asking first)?
> Thanks
>

On 22 Feb 2005 02:37:33 -0800, "Romeo Raabe" <mbwa@netnet.net> wrote:

>Has anyone done this? All electrical devices I'm taking to Europe will
>work on dual voltage, 110 to 250 volts. Rather than bring numerous
>adapters and hunt for numerous outlets in a hotel room, I'm considering
>bringing one adapter and a power strip. Put the adapter on it and
>voila, it's a 220V power strip and now I plug in my US plug items into
>it and only need one adapter and one outlet.
>
>I would plan to not be an idiot and try to run several hair dryers at
>one time, but if I run several low draw items this way (shaver,
>camcorder battery charger, etc.) I would think it should work (that is
>a question). Sure the power strip says its only for 110 voltage, but
>that's cause they don't want some idiot plugging it into his 30 amp
>dryer or electric range outlet here in the states and frying anything
>plugged into it, including him/herself.
>
>My understanding is that the load in amperage is more the limiting
>factor (thus no hairdryer this way) of the wire gauge used in these
>devices, which typically run 16 gauge.
>
>So, without a lengthy discussion of ohm's or Watt's law, or the need
>for an electical engineering degree to understand the inevitable
>replies, will this work or am I one of the afore mentioned idiots
>(please note I am asking first)?
>Thanks

Sorry for the repost as all the veteran .europe seem to have
all the answers.

Just be save and ask a professional!