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#21
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Nosmo King wrote:
I think he means that the plug, at the other end of the wire, contains a transformer. I'm sure some one will correct me if I am wrong but I believe the UK is the only country in Europe which has a fuze protected plug on each appliance lead. The rest are all protected at the point of power distribution by a cutout for each ringmain circuit. I assumed that he meant what I thought was called a power bar. It has a regular cord attached to a more or less rectangular body that holds a number of outlets. Some come with an on/off switch and some even have built in breakers. They are generally used for multiple low power electric devices like computers and entertainment centres. |
#22
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"Dave Smith" wrote in message ... Nosmo King wrote: I think he means that the plug, at the other end of the wire, contains a transformer. I'm sure some one will correct me if I am wrong but I believe the UK is the only country in Europe which has a fuze protected plug on each appliance lead. The rest are all protected at the point of power distribution by a cutout for each ringmain circuit. I assumed that he meant what I thought was called a power bar. It has a regular cord attached to a more or less rectangular body that holds a number of outlets. Some come with an on/off switch and some even have built in breakers. They are generally used for multiple low power electric devices like computers and entertainment centres. Ahaaaa. You mean a wandering lead. |
#23
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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 It will work just fine. You are correct about the 120V listing on the power strip. All cords are good for 300V (more in reality) and the plug and power strip are not a problem. American power strips - unlike European- tend to come with a circuit breaker: This is probably designed for 120V and can possibly fail if you short-circuit the power strip. However, the circuit breaker or fuse in the panel should clear the fault anyway. (Should this rare thing happen, discard the power strip) For obvious reasons, the clamp on voltage of a surge arrestor designed for 120V is much lower than on one for 230V. You won't need the surge arrestor, so use a power strip without it. You are also right about the neglible risk of overload: A #16 cord (the minimum allowed by UL) is listed for 13 amps, which is about 3000 Watts (roughly two hairdryers) at the European 230V. Coil it up and it's only good for about a third of that. The weak point is the adapter: A possible option is to replace the original American plug on the power strip with a local plug. This will ensure a reliable connection and a working equipment ground. //C-H |
#24
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"Charles Hawtrey" wrote in message
... 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. Where is it that schools neglect to teach Ohm's law? It's covered in grade 10 Physical Science here (Montreal). Richard |
#26
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Thanks rieker5, Terry Richards, and esbc.
Yes I am using simply a power strip with no transformer, just an on/off switch. Its the same one I take on cruises as cruise cabins typically have only one outlet and i have multiple battery chargers for walkie talkies (no I'm not taking them to Europe to incur the wrath of the FCC or any European equivalent), digital cameras, shaver, etc. I will put my two round plug European adapter on the business end and plug it into an outlet in hotel rooms in Europe, and then plug all my dual voltage little things in so only the one adapter is needed (no extra transformers needed - yes the dual voltage appliances ARE handy). I'm sure ohm's law would be useful, in fact I used to know it, but its been years since I had a need. Reminds me of the time I had to use an algebraic formula and called a local high school to speak to an algebra instructor. There was a long pause after I asked my question and before he answered he expressed amazement that anyone ever used any of this stuff after HS graduation. Of course he may have just been funning me too. Newsgroups are amazing places and the tangents they can take are very interesting. I do appreciate all the help and suggestions and the smiles some of them provided. Thanks all Romeo Raabe (and his power strip) (non-transformered, non fused, 16 gauge) |
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