electrical adapters - "power strip" to use in Europe?

Gail,

If you were going to pack along a Power Strip purchased here, I'd suggest using the model from Monster Cables mentioned in an earlier post. I recently asked Monster whether these products were designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems, and was assured they were.

The problem with using a cheaper Power Strip (especially one manufactured "off shore") is that the insulation levels and design may not be suitable for use at the higher voltage. This could present a safety concern, especially after prolonged use. Also, you definitely SHOULDN'T buy a Power Strip with built-in Surge Suppression / Noise Filtering, as the electronic components in those Power Strips will be designed for 115 VAC electrical systems.

I used a ChargePod on my last trip (as suggested in an earlier post by Frank II), and it worked well to charge my PDA, Cell Phone, GPS and IPod Touch (simultaneously!). My Camera Chargers are both "proprietary" (Canon) and it was no problem to charge my Camera Batteries either before or after using the ChargePod (charging time is usually quite short). Especially with my dSLR, the Battery only needs to be recharged every few days.

Happy travels!

Monster Cables makes a power strip designed for travelers, called "outlets to go" There are several versions, offering from three to six outlets. I got mine at Best Buy and have used it on two trips to Europe. It works just fine even though it doesn't appear to be rated for European voltages. One of the features is the wide spacing between outlets.

Another option, if you are looking to charge only smaller itemm--cameras, Mp3 players, cellphones, blackberrys, etc (but not a laptop) is to get a Chargepod

You can charge up to six devices at once and leave all the chargers at home.

See my webpage at www.germantravel-info.com/adaptors.htm.

I have no idea of the definition of a "funky large plug". I assume you mean one with a round, ground pin.

I use a single continental adaptor (Europlug) with a simple 3 to 1 U.S. adapter. This would allow me to plug in three devices. It's polarized (takes one blade wider), but not grounded. If one of your plugs is grounded, you can buy another small adaptor for a grounded plug to a non-grounded plug.

That's a few small pieces to carry, but much smaller than a power strip.

Thanks all much for your input. Yes Lee, my terminology was a bit vague, huh? :) In fact, it was your helpful and informative link that I was referring to in my post. If I'm not able to find something 'strip style' to use, I will definitely make a unit like you show on your site, using a '3-way' or similar American receptacle on a continental plug...I think the least expensive and most practical solution. The plug on the SLR camera is large, square and thick and I think would not make the other receptacles accessible. Thanks again.

"I recently asked Monster whether these products were designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems, and was assured they were.

Any UL listed cord should have been hipot tested at 1500 VAC (and therefore designed for more), which makes the difference between 125V and 230V seem pretty insignificant.

Of greater concern should be that the two round pin "Euro plug" is ungrounded and limited by EU standards to 2½ amps.

Gail, the bulky plug might cover adjacent receptacles on a power strip, but a 3-way adaptor often has receptacles on perpendicular surfaces and should not be affected.

Lee,

While it's true that electrical devices are tested at higher voltages before they can obtain UL certification, I just wanted to be sure that the Monster products were intended for continuous duty use at the higher voltage. While some of the cheaper products may be tested for a limited period of time for certification, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable connecting them to a 220 VAC electrical system and leaving them connected while I'm out touring for the day.

Thanks for the reminder on the current limit of ungrounded Plug Adapters. That would certainly be a concern for those using high wattage appliances.

Cheers!

People using high wattage devices, like hair dryers, should really be using a grounding plug adapter, like the modified Schuko plug in Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and a few other countries. On the other hand, a lot of U.S. high wattage devices have polarized plugs and rely on the line polarization for protection. The outlets in Germany and the Netherlands are not polarized, which defeats the safety. Maybe a grounded voltage converter with a grounded Schuko plug adapter would be best. Better yet, buy your appliance in Europe or do without.

As for concerns about the US 3-way adapter, I've used one for 10 years, 7 trips, almost 100 days. I would be no more concerned about leaving it plugged in over there than over here. And, by the way, it is the heating due to amperage that would probably do the damage, and since voltage is about doubled, amperage is halved and heating is 1/4.

Lee,

The heating due to high current flows will certainly be a problem, but as you pointed out the current will be much less with devices operated on a 220 VAC electrical system.

I was concerned about the quality of the insulation also, as some of the "off shore" Power Bars I've seen have had somewhat "flimsy" construction! I wouldn't trust them at higher voltages.