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" <[email protected]> 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

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
    >

Romeo,

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. You might get away with plugging a 110 volt
power strip into a 220 volt outlet, but you also run the risk of burning
down the hotel and killing some people, including yourself.

For more on voltage and electricity in Europe see my page at
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm

John Bermont

--
------------------------------------------------------
* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
------------------------------------------------------

"Romeo Raabe" <[email protected]> emerged from stupor to write:

    >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.

True, more or less, for your purposes. The amperage and voltage can't
be separated but you've said you don't want to know about Ohm's Law.

Try to find one with just outlets and no other components. There's a
slight chance that those components could fail due to the higher
voltage -- maybe a switch could arc over or something.

    >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)?

Should be OK but why bother with a heavy and bulky power strip? Just
get one of those little outlet-multiplier thingies. Smaller, lighter,
cheaper, and safer than a power strip.

Everybody should know Ohm's Law. It's not at all complicated and has
a zillion day-to-day uses (like your question). Why schools teach
some of the crap that they do and yet don't teach something as simple
and practical as Ohm's Law amazes me.



--
none

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <[email protected]> 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?
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--

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

    > On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <[email protected]> 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.

Tim Challenger wrote:
    > 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 :-(

Maybe at WalMart, maybe in Austria with it's unhappy 20 % VAT. Here in
Germany you will find no name cheapo hairdryers for EUR 4.99, Philips
for 9.99 or Braun for 12.49.

Jens

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 16:30:36 +0100, Jens Arne Maennig wrote:

    > Tim Challenger wrote:
    >> 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 :-(
    >
    > Maybe at WalMart, maybe in Austria with it's unhappy 20 % VAT. Here in
    > Germany you will find no name cheapo hairdryers for EUR 4.99, Philips
    > for 9.99 or Braun for 12.49.
    >
    > Jens

Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm warning.
But being as serious as you for a moment, the difference between 20% and
17.5% is what? 2.1% of the retail price?

--
Tim C.

Tim Challenger wrote:

    > Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm warning.

Oh, my Gawd!

    > But being as serious as you for a moment, the difference between 20%
    > and 17.5% is what? 2.1% of the retail price?

Nope, it's 3.45 % as we have 16 % VAT :-)

Jens, master of the rule of three

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 16:47:38 +0100, Jens Arne Maennig wrote:

    > Tim Challenger wrote:
    >
    >> Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm warning.
    >
    > Oh, my Gawd!

(assume bovver-boy voice) You taking the piss, mate? ;-)

    >> But being as serious as you for a moment, the difference between 20%
    >> and 17.5% is what? 2.1% of the retail price?
    >
    > Nope, it's 3.45 % as we have 16 % VAT :-)

Damn !
... or 3.3% depending on which you use as the base. :-P

Right, it's the UK that has 17.5%.

--
Tim C.

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 15:30:37 +0100, Tim Challenger
<[email protected]> wrote:

    >On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:27:41 GMT, Deep Foiled Malls wrote:
    >> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <[email protected]> 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
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:27:41 GMT, Deep Foiled Malls wrote:
    >>> On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 14:35:52 +0100, Bogry0 <[email protected]> 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.