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Is there such a thing as a european power strip I can use

I have individual plug adapters, but I am wondering about a European power strip.. I have 2 small medical devices, plus my phone charger that I would need every night..not sure there would be enough electrical outlets ...could I use an American power strip plugged into one outlet or would my devices burn out??

Posted by
1637 posts

I have used an American power strip with an European plug converter on several trips with no problems, The phone charger is probably okay, but you had better check the 2 medical devices to ensure that they will operate on 220 volt electrical current.

Posted by
8319 posts

Last time we were in Europe, I misplaced my USB phone charger. I just bought a 220 volt USB phone charger with the European plug for 5 Euros..
As far as medical devices go, some work on 220 volts and some don't. I still have one of the old 220 to 110 volt converters and a U.S. extension cord can plug into it for medical devices that don't require much power.

Posted by
31 posts

Not sure if links to Amazon are allowed, but we have a universal power adapter that we use to travel outside the US. Hasn't failed us yet.

Posted by
15784 posts

Not only few outlets in many hotel rooms but also in awkward places. Use one with a longer cord.

Posted by
32351 posts

cj,

I'd suggest using a North American power strip, as a European model would require Plug Adaptors for each device connected to it. However, it's extremely important that you use only a basic power strip that doesn't contain any surge filters or other features of that type. With this approach you only need one Plug Adaptor to connect the power strip to the outlet, and your appliances connect to the outlets with their normal North American plugs.

It's also extremely important to check EACH device you'll be travelling with to ensure it's designed for operation from 100-240 VAC. That information will be listed on the nameplate on each charger (probably in very small letters). Look for the words "Input Voltage". Virtually all phone chargers these days are designed for 100-240 VAC operation so they will work fine on the European 220 VAC electrical systems. You didn't provide any details about the "medical devices" so it's difficult to provide any specific advice on those.

Are you only going to be travelling in Switzerland? Different models of Plug Adaptors are used for the U.K. and the continent, and grounded Adaptors vary from one country to another in Europe.

Posted by
19274 posts

This website will help you learn about the different plug configurations in different countries in Europe.

The two round pin, type C plug is common on European-to-American plug adapters, but note it should not be used for grounding plugs on American appliances OR for devices that take more than 2½ amps (575W at 230V).

American devices with polarized (one blade wider) Type A plugs should not be used in receptacle on the European continent, even if the adapter accepts the wider blade. They can be a safety risk.

Polarized American devices can be used in Switzerland with a grounding (3 prong) Type J adapter because Swiss power is polarized and their plug maintains the polarization.

Be careful how you use the terms "adapter" and "converter". Technically, a plug adapter is a simple mechanical device that plugs into one type of receptacle and accepts a different type of plug. Plug adapters do not change the voltage.

A converter actually changes the voltage, eg, from 230VAC to 120VAC. They all used to be (20 years ago) heavy transformers that could handle ~1800W at a 2:1 ratio (230V to 115V). Today they make electronic converters that are light weight for high wattage device like most hair dryers. They also make low wattage converters that are transformers for about 50W. The output (wave form) from the electronic converters can harm electronic devices. Always use a "50W" transformer to produce power to charge *electronic devices that are not multivoltage (devices with Input: 100V - 240V).

Posted by
10 posts

You can get European power strips and if you really want one, you can usually buy them as well as power adapters in some supermarkets (yes super markets ) in Europe much cheaper than what you would pay for one here. We have bought adapters in markets in Germany, Switzerland and Russia at various times. Rather than buying a power strip, however, we buy a USB strip that enables you to charge several devices with only one electrical connection.