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About Power Strips

We are living in the era of the machines. In every second of our lives, we are interacting with one or other kind of machine. This means that there are so many devices that we use that require electrical power. Having a separate wall outlet for each one of them is not practical. That is why we need power strips.

Most people use a desktop computer with a monitor, and maybe a printer to go with it. Then there are countless other devices like wireless routers and peripheral devices that require external power sources to work. However, most people just have one or two outlets in a regular room. It is physically impossible to plug everything into those. On top of that, the number of wireless handheld devices that charge at lower voltages is ever-increasing, making surge protection more important than ever. These days, fortunately, power strips also incorporate USB ports and surge protectors. Read this article to find out more about them. Having a better understanding of them will help you make the right choices while buying.

Four best power strips to buy

A power strip serves two purposes. Firstly, they work as a plug splitter enabling you to connect multiple devices into one main power outlet. Secondly, they also serve the function of a power extender. These days, they are more advanced with surge protectors and built-in power controllers. But what most individuals do not know about surge protectors is that, over time, they wear out. Their life cycle is reduced for any voltage fluctuation they absorb. So, for both economic and safety reasons, you should always go for the best power strips. Here is a list of the four best models that you can buy.

Monoprice multi-plug outlet

Probably the first thing that you will notice about this multi-plug outlet is its small footprint. This strip packs eight outlets in total. Two of them are fixed and six others that can rotate 180 degrees to accommodate plugs and power adapters of various sizes. You can use the slotted holes on the back to mount the device horizontally. The power switch of the device doubles as a circuit breaker reset as well. Also, there are two LED indicators to indicate surge safety status and that the circuit is properly grounded.

Bestek heavy-duty power strip

The eight-outlet surge protector from Bestek is flexible and compact enough to sit on a desk or work table. The cubical shape allows you to position it even in the centre of a table. The upright, tower design easily reveals two outlets on either side for easy access. It has three USB ports. And when charging, you can leave your mobile phone or tablet on the flat top of the outlet. Surge safety feature in this model provides protection against moderate voltage peaks. But what makes this model unique is that it has a high current rating. That means you can plug in heavy-duty equipment in it.

360 Electrical Revolve Plus

If you hate the dangling cord of a power strip, then you might want this modern looking and sleek model. With a small form factor, shiny finish, built-in surge protection, and two convenient USB ports, it is a modern take on the plug splitter. In places where people use quite a few devices such as smart home hubs, LED lighting, and infotainment systems, a plug splitter like this is quite useful. It has LEDs that indicate the status of surge safety and the grounding of the circuit. So, you will know whether there has been an electrical surge or a ground fault just by looking at it.

Jackyled Power Strip Tower

This is yet another convenient table-top power strip. Jackyled power strip towers are useful in collaborative settings or meetings. So, what is so special about this plug splitter? Well, depending on the model, it has a total of twelve to sixteen outlets on all four sides. Besides that, there are two USB ports as well. In this model, two power outlets share one switch. The long power cord retracts and winds through the base of the tower. So, you don’t have to deal with the extra length of cable dangling around. While this model does offer surge protection, it is not reliable for heavy-duty supplies.

Tips on how to buy Power Strips Online

At first, finding a good power strip might feel easy enough. But because there are many different types of them, it might be harder than you might think. Moreover, being an electrical device, you have to be mindful of the electrical rating as well. That being said, it is going to be easier if you know what to look for in them. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you are shopping for power strips online.

Number of outlets – Most people buying a power outlet extension also are looking for a plug splitter as well. So, look at how many outlets there are in the strip. For most people, the more, the better. But you might also don’t want something that is too big. Moreover, the price of the model also increases with the number of power outlets.

Cable length – As one of the key functions of a power strip is as a power extension, the cable length is something to consider. You need to choose the cable length depending on where the wall outlet is and where your devices are. While a longer cable can be enticing, you should also think about how you are going to manage the length of the cable.

Safety – A good strip should have at least one or two safety features for protection. One of them is the main power switch. This switch will be able to turn on or off the power supply to the entire unit. Another desirable feature is surge protection. If you are going to be powering sensitive electronic devices like laptops and mobile phones with the strip, then you ought to have some level of surge protection.

Design and features – There are many power strips that offer many handy features beyond the basics. These include LED status indicators, cable management unit, and built-in USB plugs. Having a built-in USB plug means you don’t need to use a separate power adapter for charging mobile phones or other battery-operated devices.

If you are a DIYer, then you will need many other electrical devices apart from power strips. These include blanking panels, cable ducts, cable clamps, cable connectors, extension cords, cable tags, wall plates, and hose crimpers. You can find any of these easily using our shopping search engine . It will let you compare the prices and features of different products and choose the best one among them. So, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the DIY category.

Question & Answer

What is a power strip surge protector?

The power system consists of a large number of users and probably more than one power source. Because of the fluctuation in demand and supply, the voltage and current in the system fluctuate constantly. While these fluctuations usually stay within a small limit most of the time, sometimes this can peak above limits that are safe for devices connected to the system. This is called a surge. What a surge protector does is to protect the device against these unforeseen fluctuations. So, a surge protector will either block or absorb the voltage or current fluctuations.

Can you use power strips outdoors?

For any electrical device to be used outdoors, it must have certain features. First of all, it should be waterproof. Otherwise, rain or even high levels of humidity in the air can cause the device to malfunction. This can even be a safety hazard a lot of times. Secondly, the material itself should be weatherproof. In the case of a power strip, both of these are not true. So, in simple terms, that means you cannot use a power strip outdoors. On a completely unrelated note, you should not daisy chain more than one power strip either.

Where to buy power strips online in the UAE?

Regardless of when and where you are using it, any electrical device has to have a minimum level of quality to be safe. So, you have to be careful about what model you are buying and where you are buying it from. Fortunately, there are many good places where you can find them in the UAE. However, one of the best places to look for them is of course, Shops.ae. It is incredibly easy to search and find the right model using our retail search engine. Moreover, you will be able to find them for some of the most affordable prices as well.

If you are looking to buy power strips online in the UAE, you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. These shops offer products from popular brands like Brennenstuhl, Belkin, Middle Atlantic, Tripp Lite, APC, Huntkey, and Sirocco.