power strip

[vibaugh]

We will have several electronics with us on our trip to Scandinavia. Can I use a converter with a US made power strip attached to avoid needing multiple converters?

[Buenchico]

The answer has to be 'possibly':

The converter you use to drop the voltage from 230V to 120V will obviously need to have the right plug to fit a Scandinavian socket. Actually you might need a selection of plug fittings because there are different sockets across the Scandinavian countries.

Once you've plugged it in to the mains power circuit, you can only plug your US power strip into it if the output socket on the converter matches the plug on your power strip.

More importantly, you'll need to ensure that the total power consumption of all your electronic items doesn't exceed the power rating of your converter. Different power converters have different power ratings. (In general, the higher the rating, the more they cost). If you were to overload a converter, there would be a serious risk of overheating and possibly of fire. (Good quality power converters should contain a fuse to prevent this happening but I wouldn't want to put my faith in the fuse blowing before the converter catches fire).

So, as long as you check that you can match up plugs and sockets and you check that the total load on the converter is not excessive, what you propose is possible.

You can find out about the types of plugs used in each country, here:
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

Chris

[thugulike]

I do this all over the world. As long as you don't have the kettle, hairdryer and toaster on at once it should be OK. It does solve the problem of having to recharge batteries, (camera, ipod etc) overnight and only having one adapter or even worse, one socket.

[vibaugh]

Thank you both so much. I thought it would work, but just wanted to make sure that it really would. We will definitely make sure we do not plug in too much. Mostly it is to recharge batteries.