Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug?

Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug? - From above of orange usb to micro usb cable twisted into ring placed on black board

I'm traveling from North America to Asia next month, I'm wondering if it is safe to hook up a power strip (with a surge protector) into a travel adapter plug, instead of buying several travel adapter plugs.



Best Answer

yes and no.

The adapter does not add any risk or danger, so the answer would be: Yes it is safe.

However, and this applies at home the same, the total power you are pulling through all the plugs in the power strip must not be over the total supported limit, otherwise you will either trip the circuit, or start a fire. Depending on your target country, electrical systems are not always built to handle large power drains, and the circuit tripper might be not working or non-existent. Then it might not be save.

If you use only the usual travel stuff, like cell phone and camera battery chargers and laptop power supplies and such, you probably don't need to worry. I would not recommend using a hair dryer or space heater through that, though.




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Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug? - Set of modern port adapters on black surface
Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug? - USB type c multiport adapter with plugged white cable connected to modern laptop
Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug? - Closeup of many cables with blue wires plugged in modern switch with similar adapters on blurred background in modern studio



Can I plug a power strip into an outlet extender?

Extension cords and power strips are not to be used together. Power strips are also commonly called Surge Protectors or Relocatable Power Taps (RPT's) although there are some differences in their capabilities. For connection purposes they are treated the same regardless of their capabilities.

What should you never plug into a power strip?

Here are some examples of high-capacity appliances that you should not plug into a power strip:
  • Refrigerators.
  • Washing machines and dryers.
  • Sump pumps.
  • Space heaters.
  • Portable air conditioners.
  • Microwave ovens.
  • Toasters.
  • Coffee makers.




TRAVEL ADAPTERS and Power PLUGS explained | World Travel Tips




More answers regarding is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug?

Answer 2

Yes it is safe, a travel adapter is simply a plug and socket built into one piece. Any current the power strip can handle up to circuit breaker tripping can be handled by the adapter.

But you will find in some parts of Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam) that sockets take both US style flat blade plugs as well as the European round pins. Japan uses the US style flat blade exclusively, as does Taiwan. So an adapter may not be needed everywhere.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Brett Sayles