Universal Power Strips

[ROBOCRIPPLE]

When I was in the malls in the Philippines, some of the stores have power strips that have outlets that accept more than 1-2 types of power plug. Most of them only take US and Euro 2-prong types, and others take many other types including the UK plug. That's because many appliances that come into the Philippines are meant to be used in other regions such as Europe, though there are appliances made just for Philippine outlets (US-style 2-prong, 220V, 60Hz). 

 

The power strips look like these:

http://www.cebuhomebuilders.com/8702-thickbox_default/akari-extension-cord.jpg

https://ph-live-03.slatic.net/p/3/universal-tower-extension-cord-16-gang-wte-516-1495009241-14190002-d8bd1d4204cb9aedf1a465b5a49fa68d-product.jpg

 

I looked for them in stores back here in Canadaland, and they don't have them; only power strips with US-style 3-prong outlets ONLY. No Europlug, No UK plug, nada. The only power adapters available in Canadian stores that have such outlets are travel adapters. I thought Canada is a multicultural society...

 

I asked a few people in the US if they have universal power strips in American stores, and they said no. European stores have little converters that let them use appliances from a different region in Europe. I'm not sure they have universal power strips... Philippines stores have those little converters, too, but not in Canadian stores.

 

If you live outside of North America, are you able to find these power strips in your local stores?

[W-L]

1 minute ago, ROBOCRIPPLE said:

-SNIP-

You mean universal plug type powers strips, you can find them in Canada they are just not common. All you need if your device support a wide voltage range from 120-240V is a new power cable or adapter. 

[Moonzy]

6 minutes ago, ROBOCRIPPLE said:

If you live outside of North America, are you able to find these power strips in your local stores?

it's pretty much everywhere in Malaysia, i guess it's an asian thing to get things that arent made for local use (Malaysian use UK plug)

but i bet you can just order one online if you are in desperate need for one

 

side note: make sure whatever you're using supports the local voltage supplied by the grid

[Imbellis]

29 minutes ago, ROBOCRIPPLE said:

I thought Canada is a multicultural society..

1

You know... The type of standardized outlet isn't a causality of culture.

 

 

With that being said, the reason adapters like that aren't seen in the US and Canada is because the market for electronics is large enough (And the standard A/B outlet widespread enough) for companies to offer standard-compliant cables to the countries. In contrast, a Country like the Philippines has a smaller market for electronics and has 3 standard outlets rather than two (A, B, and C from what I could tell).

 

I've seen A/B/C strips in a couple local tech stores here and there, but the only place I've consistently seen them was in airports.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Imbellis
That first statement is meant with sarcasm. I'm tired and can't think straight, so sorry about that.

[LienusLateTips]

Probably not up to Canadian code