While I've traveled extensively in Europe in the past, this summer will be my first trip with a CPAP machine. I know that my machine is automatic dual voltage, so that isn't an issue. It has been suggested that I might want to take an extension cord and a multi-outlet strip since outlets are sometimes at a premium in European hotels. (and since I'll be dealing with battery chargers for phone and camera) Does anyone know of a retail source for these items with 220-240 voltage design?
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Denice, all your really need is a good medium duty US extension cord, and good US "one input/three output" plug. Do not take an multi-outlet strip (EU or US)...they are too big and bulky. Use the old fashioned US "one into three" outlet.
Then;
You plug one of your EU to US "conversion" plugs into the wall,( I carry conversion plugs for England, Germany, and S. Italy)
You attach the "one into three" outlet.
You plug in your US extension cord, and hook it to your CPAP.
You plug in a US to EU conversion plug into the three prong outlet.
You plug the European lite cord into this 3 prong outlet.
Note; This requires you to take a EU conversion plug that allows you to plug their light cord into your "one into three" outlet plug. One of my conversion plugs will go either way.
Confusing? Just buy the stuff, and play with it here. You do not need to buy an extension cord and multi-outlet strip for each country where you are going
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
Skip the strip. Just get an extension with multiple (U.S.) outlets so you can plug your CPAP, camera charger, cell phone charger, razor charger, etc. charger into it. The extension plus into adapter which plugs into wall. Note: extension with multiple plugs is better than just the multi-plug connector as often the place you have to plug in is far away from where you need it.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, USA
61 posts
Steve and John,
Thanks for the replies. That is what I needed to know, especially about the medium duty cord. I wasn't sure if our extension cords would work on the higher voltage wiring in Europe. The 3 tap or cord with the tap makes more sense than taking the strip.
Thanks for the help.
Denice
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
Am I not correct that it's not the voltage that you have to be concerned about, but, rather, the amperage when considering an extension cord?
High amps generate heat and if the wire guage in the extension cord is too small, it will heat up. A CPAP machine is low amperage, so the extension cord can be a regular size as long as you don't plug too many things in at the same time.
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
The voltage rating of the cord has to do with the insulation. Higher voltages can cross longer distances through insulating material. However, I would suggest any extension cord would work fine for voltage insulation.
With voltage in Europe double that in the U.S., the current (amps) are halved. So anything that takes 1 amp here takes about 1/2 amp there. That means that you don't need as heavy duty a wire there as here. A CPAP, two cell phone chargers, a laptop computer and a camera charger all through one extension cord would not come close to taxing almost any extension cord you buy.