Different Types Of Power Strips - Features And Applications

Power strips have been around since the 1980s when computers became popular. The fact that there are numerous devices to support these computers means that the standard outlets would not handle the task but get overwhelmed. Fortunately, things have improved dramatically since those years. It is not surprising to find a powerstrip that supports laptops, smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth devices, and more without breaking down.

This is possible because today's strips include surge protection and USB ports, making them more functional and relevant in today's world. There are a variety of power strips available in the market today. Keep reading to understand which are the best strips to go for and learn more about the features that matter.

Why you Need Power Strips

Power Strips are essential and often needed where several AC outlets are required, especially with no surge or when you need noise protection. Generally, you can choose to mount the power strips on a rack, walls, or workbenches. Alternatively, you can leave it lying on the ground. Consider mounting it on desktop/ modular, cabinet mounts, or monitor shelves. Other alternatives for mounting also include hardwiring and vertical mounts.

Besides looking at the convenient mounting style for you, you also need to check out the number of electrical outlets necessary for the type of applications required. The number also indicates the number of outputs, especially if they are not in the form of AC outlets. Note that it is possible to have this number configured in several styles and standards. The most common include NEMA, CEE European standards, IEC European standards, and JIS Japanese standards.

Understanding Electrical Specifications

You do not just walk into an electrical shop and ask for a power strip without considering several important factors. It is essential to understand the correct specifications. Top on the list of considerations include:

1. Frequency
2. Nominal Voltage
3. Current rating
4. Phase

When looking at the nominal voltage, these can be anything from 24 VDC to 230 VAC. The common voltages in stores include 24 VDC and 48 VDC and 115 VAC, 208 VAC, and 230 VAC. On the other hand, the frequency will most likely be 50Hz, 60 Hz, or 400 Hz. The 50Hz frequency is the most common when power strips are considered in the European market. The 60 Hz is more prevalent in the North American power markets, whereas the 400Hz is mainly utilized in aerospace applications. Besides all this, there is a phase you must consider.

Powerstrips can either be single-phase or three-phase. The single-phase is for standard AC power, most common for appliances such as computers and instruments such as the musical kind. On the other hand, three-phase works for industrial applications such as pumps and drive motors. It is needed for cases where higher loads and power efficiency are considered critical factors.

Power strip rating is considered in two ways. The First would be the current rating which refers to the power strip's rated current. This is what is needed to guarantee maximum continuous current flow. On the other hand, there is the power rating which refers to the total power rating of the power strip, including the circuits and outlets. Both ratings are essential when deciding on the appropriate power strip.

One other factor to look at when selecting a power strip is environmental. This is the operating temperature as it determines the operational parameters.

Features of Power Strips you Ought to Know.

owerstrip features will generally fall into two major categories. These are the configuration features and the protection features. It is essential to know the role played by each feature to make the right decision when getting a power strip for your needs.

Protection features

This encompasses circuit breakers, thermal sensors, fuses, transient voltage surge suppression, and RFI/ EMI protection. All these features play an essential role in deciding the appropriate power strip. Below are some of the details you must watch out for.

• Circuit breakers: These are protective devices in the power strip to ensure the power strip is guarded against overvoltage. Whenever there is an overload in voltage, these circuit breakers will trip and sometimes reset when things stabilize.
• Fuses: These are categorized as safety devices that also work to protect the power strip in times of overvoltage. They are often activated only when there is an extended case of overvoltage. Then, they will switch off the powerline to prevent potential damage from the excess voltage. They come in different types. The first type of fuses is the replaceable kind which is easily replaced when they blow. The other type is the resettable fuses which operate on the thermal sensing principle.

• Thermal sensors: These devices operate by detecting instances of high thermal environments. In essence, they indicate current overload. They can also show other non-design issues, such as circuit/fuse opening or alarm signals.
• EMI or RFI protection: This is a form of filtering and protection found in devices that need to be guarded against severe impacts of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).
• Voltage surge suppression: This feature found in the power strip requires some form of suppression of transient voltage spikes/ irregularities.

Configuration features

These include battery backup, ACX adapter spacing, on/off switch, twist lock plug, and remote control.

• Note that units with AC adapters spacing will have spaced outlets to allow users to insert multiple AC adapters.
• The unit backup battery is essential as it prevents power interruptions whenever a power supply fails. However, this is not a temporary solution and may not be sufficient if the power supply failure continues for extended periods. You will only be guaranteed temporary protection.
• On the other hand, the twist-lock plug is a safety feature protecting against any unintended reconnecting or disconnecting.
• The on-off switch is instrumental whenever you want to plug the unit but are not quite ready to have it powered.
• The remote control is straightforward as the unit is controlled remotely using the remote device. This could be anything from your computer to a special switch that offers an on-off control ability. Other things you can achieve with the remote control include monitoring performance and reading and controlling other parameters.

Buying the Right Pwowerstrip

Now that you understand what makes a good powerstrip and some non-negotiable features you must look out for, your next step should be to identify the right powerstrip. There are several fantastic brands you will find in the market. However, before rushing to buy what has been excellently reviewed, you must do your due diligence. Below are some of the things that should guide you when making such a decision.

Decide if you Need the Power Strip.

Sometimes you may not need the powerstrip but something different. First, realize that a power strip is simply a set of outlets that helps you distribute available AC power and connect to various electrical devices, including audio devices, computers, network devices, lighting, power, or tool devices.

These strips are also available in different mounting styles. You may not need a powerstrip unless you have multiple electronics with limited outlets and want all the devices to work simultaneously. Only invest in it if you are sure that you need several connections in one.

Figure Out the Appropriateness of the Application

It is one thing to know that you need the power strip and another to understand where it can be applied. Fortunately, these strips are great for home, office, industrial, and commercial use. They can also be used in data rooms and server rooms. Once you know where and how you want to use the powerstrips, you can proceed to the actual selection. There are specific factors that determine this choice.

Number of Outlets (Including the transformer outlets)

At this stage, you already know the number of devices you want to connect to the powerstrip. Consequently, you should focus on getting a power strip that can accommodate most of them, if not all. The majority of the power strips have up to 24 outlets which are pretty substantial for people with many devices.

However, you should note that transformer plugs are not equal to the standard ones. This should be factored in when selecting the powerstrip. The market has a provision for power strips that can accommodate transformer plugs without blocking or affecting the rest of the outlets. You should shop specifically to suit your needs.

Prioritize the outlet configurations as well as the cord's length.

You should know how far away you want to place the power strip from the grounded AC outlet. This will help you choose a cord length that is long enough since power cords are available up to a 24ft length. Besides the size, you also need to pay attention to the configurations.

These are standard, end-mounted, front-facing, right-angled, or rear-facing outlets. When deciding on the configuration, look back to the intended use, as this will significantly influence what you go for. However, a standard power strip works perfectly in most cases, but the other types may be needed for exceptional cases.

You should also consider the need for extra protection.

If your devices need enhanced safety, you should look for powerstrips that offer added features. You will have to pay more for such, but it will be worth it considering what you protect. Some of the strips come with metal casing/ housing, making them practically indestructible.

Others come loaded with circuit breaks of 15 to 20 amps which are powerful enough to prevent the most dangerous or robust power overload. Some models are also suited for places with water as they will offer an instant disconnection whenever there is a threat of power spike or power surges. Such power strips are worth it for susceptible areas.

Pay attention to the application.

If your application is in sensitive places like hospitals and patient care centers, you may have to go for a medical-grade power strip. Such strips are crucial for administrative and other areas within such facilities with no direct line-operated machinery/ equipment. These power strips are unique and even have an antimicrobial coating that prevents risks of infection.

They are ideal for hospitals and related environments and will undoubtedly cost more than other power strips. Just like you would choose powerstrips for the medical settings, you can also find a variety of strips for data centers and server rooms. These are likely to be rack-mounted and will come with data protection features. They will also have characteristics related to the sector, such as phone lines and network connections. The bottom line is to consider the environment you intend to use the power strips before purchasing them.

Additional features.

Besides the basic features; you must focus on as primary needs; you may also want to consider getting powerstrips with extra features as long as they are practical. Some of the most common additional features in most power strips include the USB charging and amp rating.

You can conveniently charge your smart device without interfering with the other outlets if the unit has a USB charging feature. In addition, the 20-amp rating features offer the powerstrip a higher voltage application. It comes with a circuit breaker if the voltage limit is too much for the power strip to handle. Other useful extra features that you may want to look at include:

• An antimicrobial coating that is useful in sensitive settings such as hospitals
• GFCI plugs help to distribute power to connected equipment in harsh environments safely. This will help protect users from potential electrical shocks that result from humid or wet environments.

Final Thoughts

The correct power strip depends on several factors. First, note that power strips are not created equally. Similarly, every person has different needs that may influence their choice of the power strip. Avoid going for recommendations blindly, no matter how lucrative the product reviews are. What works for one person may be a total failure on your end. Each user has unique needs, so there is a need to ensure that you look at what works for you as an individual. Fortunately, there are a variety of power strips from reliable manufacturers you could choose from. Just be sure to get real value for your money.