Power Strips

A power strip refers to a strip of sockets that are attached to the end of a flexible cable and allow multiple devices to be plugged in. Also known as a power board, plugbar, distribution board, it refers to a complete assembly with the power strip on one end and a plug on the other.

Electric Power strips are popularly used in applications requiring AC outlets. This can be with or without surge or line noise protection. These strips can be mounted on racks and walls and also can lie on the ground. The number of electrical outlets in power strips should also be considered necessary for specific applications. These outlet can be configured into a number of styles including NEMA, IEC European standards, CEE European standards, or JIS Japanese standards.

Electrical specifications
There are certain important electrical specifications that a buyer must consider while selecting a power strip. These are:

• Nominal voltages: These can be 24 VDC, 48 VDC, 115 VAC, 208 VAC, or 230 VAC.
  
  
• Frequency: These can be 50 Hz, 60 Hz or 400 Hz.
  
  
• Phase: These can be single phase or three phase depending on the application.
  
  
• Current rating: It refers to the rated current for the power strip, given for maximum continuous current.
  
  
• Operating temperature It is an important environmental consideration that must also be kept in mind.

Features of Electric Power Strips
There are two type of features of power strips. These include:

• Protection Features: Such as:
  • Circuit breaker: These are protective devices used in case of over voltage. These devices trip when there is an overload and may be reset.
    
    
  • Fuse: These safety devices get activated in case of extended over voltage and can be reset.
    
    
  • Thermal sensors: These devices are used for detecting high thermal conditions and also for indicating current overload or other non-design condition.
    
    
  • EMI / RFI protection: This device guards and provides protecting against radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
    
    
  • Transient voltage surge suppression: This refers to clamping or other suppression of transient voltage spikes and other irregularities.
    
    
• Configuration Features:
  • AC adapter spacing: This means that outlets are spaced so as to allow insertion of a number of AC adapters.
    
    
  • Battery backup: This means that a battery has a backup for preventing interruption of power in case of power supply failure.
    
    
  • Twist lock plug: It is a safety feature for preventing unintended disconnecting or reconnecting.
    
    
  • On/off switch: This feature allows the unit to be plugged in, but not powered.