power strips for multiple charging units

Lorri, The first thing you'll need to do is check the power supplies / Chargers on EACH DEVICE that you'll be travelling with, to determine whether these are designed for "world" operation. Yes, it is possible to take a Power Bar however I believe it's important to choose a unit that's designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems. One product you could look at is www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3843 (you'll have to cut & paste given the current HelpLine problems). In order to use this in Scotland, you'll have to connect this via the appropriate Plug Adapter. Note that outlets in the U.K. are often equipped with a small switch. If there's no power when you connect your Chargers, check the position of the switch. Happy travels!

Thank you so much for your help. I will check out the website you provided. Again, thank you for our advice.

I've always understood (backed up by empirical evidence from several people on this Helpline - CPAP machines, for instance) that as long as your appliances were dual-voltage you just needed a 120 extension cord AND a plug adaptor. Anybody want to factually challenge this info?!? You can take the money saved and buy gelato ;-)

Eileen, On the issue of "extension cords" and Power Bars, some additional information is important. I'll focus on Power Bars. All of these products have a "nameplate rating", which is usually stamped on the back or bottom. The rating for Power Bars typically states "115 VAC, 15A", and these are the parameters that the product is designed for and rated for by UL, CSA and other regulatory agencies. While they may work without any problems at 220 VAC, it should be remembered that the insulation and internal design of are only intended for 115 VAC. Even the most basic Power Bars include a 15-amp Circuit Breaker, which WON'T operate properly at 220 VAC (since the current draw will be about half of normal. * I really miss the line breaks * Another complication is the fact that many Power Bars these days include Surge Suppression, which should NOT be used at 220 VAC, as this exceeds the voltage they're designed to "suppress". Some Power Bars also include EMI/RFI filtering and again, the electronic components for that are NOT designed to operate at 220 VAC and will probably self destruct in short order. Finally, many Power Bars these days (especially those sold in "Big Box" stores) are made VERY CHEAPLY in overseas factories and I don't have a lot of confidence in the quality, especially when used at twice the rated voltage. So far I've found that I haven't needed a Power Bar. Not all my gadgets need to be charged at the same time, so one outlet is usually adequate. On those occasions when I DO need to charge the IPod, Cellphone, GPS, etc. at the same time, the CHARGEPOD can handle six devices. My Netbook has a battery life of about 10-hours, so only needs to be charged every few days (depending on use). If travelers require a Power Bar, I still believe it's safer to use one that's designed for 220 VAC, such as the one mentioned in my first reply. Cheers!

I really miss the line breaks...I think that should BE our line break from now on until.......Thanks, Ken - I meant to ask the OP if she meant merely 'extra outlets' or 'surge protector' by her term 'power strip'. Big difference, and certainly not interchangeable. And ditto on the surge protector no-no! I always like to err on the cautious side, but I have been assured (by professionals) that FOR MY USES a regular 6' mid-duty extension cord was absolutely adequate. NOW, MY USES include charging an iPod, running an iPod docking station (aka 'white noise machine' LOL), and perhaps charging a camera's batteries. ONE AT A TIME. NOT trying to operate a super hot flat-iron, 3 laptops, and a blow-dryer all at once!!! And I'm a little crazed about constantly checking to see if the cord(s) and/or plugs are getting hot (like, several times a night for my 'white noise machine' LOL!). Everything's stayed cool so far...And nothing is on that extension cord (or plugged in anywhere, for that matter) if I'm not right there. But that's me...

Ken I'd like to look at extension cords from a slightly different angle. .... I would suggest that the key parameter with the items to be plugged in is the amperage. With continuous wattage if the voltage doubles the amperage will halve. .... If the cord would have a hair dryer or curling iron or other high wattage device I personally would not use it. .... On the other hand, charging blocks for netbooks, phones, camera batteries, MP3 players are very low wattage devices, even cumulatively. .... I would prefer to use a cube than an extension cord but I use both here in the UK for low wattage devices and have done so for over a dozen years. As long as I don't approach the rated amperage I am happy. ..... I agree that these need to be very dumb cords or cubes with no built in electronics such as surge suppressors or neon lights etc.

NIGEL, my concerns with Power Bars and extension cords are primarily with the insulation level and clearances provided in the product rather than the current draw. Any products designed for 115-VAC will have no problems with current draw when used on 220-VAC electrical systems as the cables are usually #14 AWG. I believe European outlets are fused at about 7-amps, so there shouldn't be any problems in that regard. However, I WOULD HAVE concerns using a European Power Bar designed for 220-VAC on a 115 VAC electrical system with high wattage appliances! I don't know the size of the cables normally used in Euro Power Bars but they are considerably smaller, and drawing 15-amps through those will cause significant heating VERY quickly. Cheers!

Ken, we're not so far apart. Don't know about mainland European sockets, although with strict CE European guidelines I expect they are very similar to those here in the UK. Here the standard for household power outlets or sockets is 220 slash 240 volts 13 amps. Yes, you read correctly that is 3000 watts. And believe it or not the standard here was until very recently to supply electricals minus the plug and the consumer would wire the plug on! All electrical and electronic equipment still is sold with a paper that explains which colour wire goes to which part of the plug, even if it comes with a fitted plug.!

Lorri, are you getting all of this?!? There'll be a test later...

NIGEL, No, we're not that far apart. Thanks for the reply. Perhaps you could clarify a point on residential wiring in the U.K. I've been told that a "ring configuration" is used, with taps taken off a "ring" to supply outlets (presumably the "ring" is fused at the panel?). This would be a very different configuration to that used in North America where "branch circuits" are run from the breaker panel. I was shocked (not meant as a pun, but perhaps appropriate to the subject matter) to read your comment about consumers having to install the Plug on any electrics they purchased. That's bizarre! Cheers!

Ok, now I am really confused...

Then Lorri, our work here is done ;-).....OK - first of all, do you know if all of your electronics are dual-voltage?.....By 'power strip' are you anticipating needing to charge several things at once?.....Do you already have plug adapters (the cheap plug-only thingies; NOT converters, etc.)?

German schuko (DIN 49440&49441) outlets, power strips, and plugs are rated for continuous operation with 230 Volt and 16 Ampere, i.e. 3680 Watt.

Mark, if you'd send about 5,000 of those to ETBD in Washington we'll all pick ours up before our next trip...Thanks!

KEN With 60 million population in the UK I bet there are 10 million ways to wire houses here. Only recently have people had to use professional electricians. The reason the plugs used to be consumer fitted is that there were lots of varieties of sockets. I don't know about ring circuits, my consumer unit circuit breaker box is similar to those in North America with separate circuits for various parts of the house, major appliances, etc. ................. LORRI Please don't be confused. We are debating valid points here but as far as you are concerned follow these hints (Right, Ken?) 1) If the wire on the extension cord has 110/220v printed on it all the better. 2) Don't take an extension cord with either a light or electronics on or in it ... simple does it. 3) Don't plug in high wattage items like hair dryers or curling irons or flat irons 4)Make sure everything you plug into it has universal voltage numbers printed on it 110 or 115 and 220 or 240, 50/60Hz. 4) Only use it for very low wattage items such as netbook, ipod, gps, camera battery. 5) If still confused, ask.

Lorri, the very short answer to your question is yes. You need a dual voltage power strip, best purchased from a travel store. We bought ours at Bergman Luggage, our local travel store, but they are also carried by Magellan. With the power strip and the appropriate adapter you will be good to go, as long as all of the items you are plugging in are also dual voltage. We just returned from Europe and used this approach successfully in the UK, France and Switzerland.

EILEEN, the Power Bars suggested by MARK will certainly work but they're a rather "clumsy" solution as EACH OUTLET on the Power Bar will be the Euro standard, so North American travellers would need a Plug Adapter for EACH device connected to the Power Bar. I'll stick with my present methods!!! Cheers!

LORRI, we don't want you to be confused when you travel, so I'll try to sort this for you. To begin with, you might re-read my first reply. I'll try to put this in a logical sequence (I sure hope they get the line breaks working here SOON!) (1.) Check ALL of the devices that you'll be travelling with to ensure they're designed for use on 220-VAC electrical systems. This is VERY IMPORTANT! (2.) Purchase a PLUG ADAPTER for the U.K. A grounded model would be better as that should cover all eventualities. The U.K. style has three large rectangular pins. I'd suggest taking a spare Plug Adapter, "just in case" - they're cheap! (3.) Purchase a Power Bar designed to operate both on 115-VAC as well as 220-VAC. The model that I listed in my first reply is a good choice, depending on how many outlets you require. You could also have a look at * www.magellans.com/store/Adaptor_Plugs___Converters___Plug_AdaptorsEA104?Args= * (cut & paste the link which is inside the asterisks). This provides three outlets as well as a USB port to charge small electronics AND is designed for dual-voltage operation. Hope this clarifies things. Cheers!

Thank you all so much. I do believe I have my answers. All your input has been very helpful. I can't tell you how excited I am making my first trip out of the USA since 1973...