cambee

Thanks Crosscheck. I also looked at the VCT-USP 600. It does look large. The Voltage Valet with 3 outlets is very compact. It also is sold on Amazon. It is priced high than other power strips. My only reservation is I wanted a compact 4 to 5 outlets on one power strip. I am still deciding at this point. Thanks all for your help.

Sojourntraveller

Cambee, you do not need a dual voltage power strip.

Think of your power strip as being no different than a simple plug adapter. All it does it let you plug something in. What matters is whether what you plug in can handle 220V or not. That is, is the DEVICE dual voltage.

The plug and wiring that carries the power from the wall outlet to your device is irrelevant. A dual voltage power strip like the VCT is dual voltage but so what. It will still send 220V directly to your device unless you put a converter between it and your device. There is no real advantage to a dual voltage power strip.

Again, a power strip is just a connection, it has no affect on the voltage going to your device. So why do you think you need one?

I can't even think of any reason why a power strip is advertised as dual voltage or not. It's like saying a piece of wire will handle dual voltage, that's all a power strip is, some pieces of wire.

The only advantage to a power strip is that it lets you use just one wall outlet plug adapter to connect multiple devices. Each DEVICE must be a dual voltage 110-220v device. Capish?

Sarastro

I agree with Sojourntraveller, to an extent. A 110vac power strip and an 110vac to 220vac power strip are really the same thing, as long as there are no switches, surge suppression, or LEDs. That is why Monster stands behind their 110vac rated power strip for use up at 220vac, even though the strip itself has only a 110vac label. This is the strip mentioned above by Dave_Ohio:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F9YN2M/

However, the internal wiring of a 220vac only strip is not of sufficient size to handle the increased current of 110vac circuits. No one has mentioned doing so but purchasing a 220vac power strip and using it in the USA or anywhere with a 100vac source could potentially be very dangerous.

DebitNM

I got the 4 port USB charger in the mail yesterday. It looks well made and the 4 different plugs are sturdy and lock into place, so the charger should not fall out when plugged in with 4 cords attached. And the European 2 round pins are long enough to reach/fit a recessed plug.

http://tinyurl.com/mgh63km

Sojourntraveller

Notice the 2 pin European adapter is hex shaped DebitNM. That means it will fit Swiss outlets as well which a rounded end European adapter will not.

Since it is a USB adapter only, no grounding is required. But any other devices that need to be plugged in with a normal wall plug, will require their own adapter. ie. electric razor, travel (dual voltage) hair dryer, etc.

It's getting to be that the weight of people's adapters, cables, etc. is becoming a signifigant amount of weight in their bag. LOL

crosscheck

I really don't think it's worth worrying about this for Europe. I first got my little power strip to charge multiple devices in a hut in Africa. You'll probably have plenty of outlets in France, and most hotels have an assortment of adapters and converters.

Sarastro

<i>You'll probably have plenty of outlets in France, and most hotels have an assortment of adapters and converters.</i>

If that were only true. Many of the hotels in France, particularly in Paris, were built before electricity was widely in use. Many rooms have have but one electrical socket. I have stayed in hotels in France where the only electrical socket available was in the bathroom and only powered when the lights were on. It makes charging phones, cameras, laptops, and other devices very challenging.

I always carry a power strip when I travel.

cambee

Thanks for all the comments on this subject. I just returned from France and successfully used the Monster product "Outlets To Go " with 4 outlets. I had no problem with plugging in 4 items to recharge . This small outlet strip is great. I used a grounded adapter with it .

HappyTrvlr

I used our new Monster "Outlets to Go" all over Turkey and Greece, London too. Only needed to add the correct plug adaptor. It was so helpful with few outlets available.