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+--- Thread: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? (/showthread.php?tid=120090)
US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - DeusxMac - 07-13-2011
I know that Macs and other Apple products can automatically adjust to European voltage (with just a plug adapter,) but could I use a multi-outlet U.S. powerstrip or surge protector (with that plug adapter) to plug in multiple Mac products to European voltage?
Are there some US powerstrips/surge protectors that could do this but others that couldn't?
TIA
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - C(-)ris - 07-13-2011
I would imagine that as long as the country used less than 110V that it might work. If their voltage was higher, it would fry the surge protector. I wouldn't risk it.
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - davester - 07-13-2011
All electrical devices, including surge protectors, have power rating specifications. Look them up for the one you want to buy. Most European countries have 240v 50Hz power.
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - OWC Jamie - 07-13-2011
I just checked the back tags on three of mine.
120vac only. They all have surge suppressors .
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - space-time - 07-13-2011
I use the IKEA cheap power strip, 3 outlets, 1 foot cord all the time. No problems. Again, this is just a power strip, no surge protector, no fuse, no switch. I plan to install an European "Stecker" (plug) to eliminate the adapter.
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - Robert M - 07-13-2011
Deus,
Seems to me you should just purchase appropriate adapters and buy a power strip designe for use in the country you're visiting (or living in) overseas. During my honeymoon in Italy, I used a Gomadic adapter for charging my iphone. It went from outlet directly to the phone. Worked perfectly. No doubt, if I had a European surge protector, I could connect my phone to the Gomadic adapter and plug the adapter into the surge protector.
Robert
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - Lux Interior - 07-13-2011
I can tell you from first hand experience - Don't do it!
I wanted to plug several US wall warts (all dual voltage) in at work. I figured I wouldn't need all those individual adapters if I just used my US power strip.
Bad idea.
Fried the strip and popped the breaker for my office. Forgot about the surge protection part!
Ooops!
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - DeusxMac - 07-13-2011
Thanks all.
Just ordered a universal (works on Europe) TrippLite 6-outlet strip.
Re: US powerstrips/surge protectors on European voltage? - westom - 07-14-2011
Anything that power strip protector might do is already done better inside the Mac.
A 120 volt power strip on European (230 volt) power is bad.
An only power strip (no protectors) is better if it has a fuse or circuit breaker. Fuses and circuit breakers (on a power strip) are rated for 250 volts.