What to Consider When Selecting and Applying a Power Strip

From home workbenches and enterprise networks to laboratories and the smart factory, the number of line-powered devices continues to increase, making readily available and safe power outlets a critical requirement. In many instances, bulky consumer devices such as cellphone and laptop chargers are competing for space and power with high-power saws, network switches and access points, medical and electronic measurement systems, and industrial process equipment.

At the same time, all of the devices must be protected from safety issues due to overcurrent and short circuits, while also protecting the user, even in the most rugged and physically demanding environments.

To deliver reliable and safe power across the widest possible range of devices, applications, and environments, designers can turn to power distribution strips designed with safety, ruggedness, and power distribution flexibility in mind.

This article will briefly discuss the requirements of power distribution and safety in the ever-changing home, workplace, and factory environments, including associated safety standards. It will then introduce suitable power distribution strips from Tripp Lite that meet those requirements, including floor, rack, or benchtop mounting with long power cords, and safety features like built-in circuit breakers and lighted, covered power switches that extend power availability—safely and reliably—to where it is most needed.

The growing need for power strips

A typical home computer setup consists of a computer, monitor, modem/router, and printer for a total of four power cords. The nearest wall outlet probably contains two outlets, so a multiple-outlet power strip is required.

Selecting a power strip starts with determining the number of outlets required. This can be complicated by the need to plug in wall-mounted modular power supplies with power connections that are larger than standard outlet spacing. The second consideration is the length of the power strip’s power cord. The power cord has to be long enough to reach the wall outlet with a safe routing. From a safety standpoint, the power strip should have circuit breaker protection unless it is wired through a separate circuit breaker before the wall socket.

Power strip housings are available in a number of materials. Aluminum is the most common. It is strong and durable and does not rust in damp environments. Steel is also available but is not widely used. Plastic housings are lower cost but are not as durable as metal housings.

Power strip options

Considering the basic computer setup that was discussed earlier with a need for four outlets, the Tripp Lite PS120406 with a 15 ampere (A) breaker and a 6-foot (ft.) power cord is a suitable choice (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The Tripp Lite PS120406 four-outlet power strip has a 6 ft. power cord, a covered switch, and a 15 A circuit breaker. (Image source: Tripp Lite)

The PS120406 has four NEMA 5-15R three-prong outlets compatible with all common 120-volt power plugs. The 12-inch (in.) long, rugged, all-aluminum housing has outlets that are spaced 1.77 in. apart from center to center, allowing enough room for most AC adapters and transformers. This Tripp Lite power strip can be mounted horizontally or vertically and is suitable for home office and workbench applications. It features a lighted on/off switch with a translucent cover that shows the power strip’s operational status while preventing accidental shut offs. The power strip is protected from current overload by a built-in 15 A circuit breaker, allowing the strip to be used for loads of up to 1800 watts total.

The PS120406 can be mounted using the clips that are included with the power strip, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Clip-in mounting brackets (left) supplied with the PS120406 power strip hold the power strip securely while allowing it to be removed easily (right) for cleaning or maintenance. (Image source: Tripp Lite)

The clips are screwed into the mounting surface in line. The power strip is tilted to engage the lower lip of the mounting clips and then rotated to engage the upper lip of the mounting clips and pressed in until it locks the power strip in place. To remove the power strip from the clips, the user needs to push down on the top of the strip near the front panel—until the clips release the top edge—and then lift the power strip free of the bottom edge of the clips.

If a longer power cord is required, then the Tripp Lite PS120420 should be selected. It is a four-outlet power strip with a 15 ft. power cord. It also has a 20 A circuit breaker, uses two NEMA 5-15R and two NEMA 5-20R receptacles, and comes in a 12 in. aluminum housing.

If more outlets and a longer power cord are needed, Tripp Lite has a large variety of power strip configurations. For example, the PS2408 offers eight NEMA 5-15P outlets in a 24 in. aluminum housing with a 15 ft. power cord (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The Tripp Lite PS2408 power strip provides eight outlets in a 24 in. aluminum housing with a 15 ft. power cord. (Image source: Tripp Lite)

The larger number of outlets also makes this power strip suitable for industrial bench or rack mounting. The outlets are spaced on 2.48 in. centers, providing even more clearance for large wall transformers or power supplies. Like the PS120406 power strip, it incorporates a lighted power switch with a cover and a 15 A circuit breaker. Mounting clips are also provided.

Fitting an eight-outlet power strip into a cabinet or other enclosure might be problematic, but Tripp Lite offers an easy solution in the form of a foldable power strip, the PSF2408 (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The PSF2408 provides eight outlets in a foldable 24-in. outlet strip with a 15 ft. power cord. (Image source: Tripp Lite)

The PSF2408 has a single pivot that allows it to bend. It is ideal in tight spaces and for getting around corners or for sharing between two users. The durable aluminum housing has outlet spacing of 1.18 in. in the first segment (for conventional power plugs), and 2.25 in. in the second (for those oversized transformers). It has a 15 ft. power cable and it is rated at 1200 watts, with a circuit breaker rating of 12 A. As with the previously discussed power strips, it also has a lighted power switch fitted with a transparent cover.

A final example is the Tripp Lite PS6020 (Figure 5). It is a 20-outlet power strip that is perfect for horizontal or vertical raceway-style power distribution in office, workbench, industrial, and rack mounting in networking and telecom applications.

Figure 5: The PS6020 offers 20 outlets for horizontal or vertical placement in workbench and other industrial applications. (Image source: Tripp Lite)

The PS6020 aluminum housing spaces 20 NEMA 5-15 outlets along its 60 in. length. The outlets are spaced 2.795 in. apart, so there should be no interference from adjacent power transformers or power supplies. It has a 15 ft. power cable, useful in an industrial environment where outlets may be further away. It also has a covered power switch and a 15 A circuit breaker for safety. It includes clip-in style mounting brackets, and it can be mounted horizontally on work benches or vertically in racks.

All of the power strips discussed conform to North American safety standards including CSA, cUL, and UL standards.

Conclusion

The rising use of various electronic devices has created a need for multiple power outlets at specific locations not readily served by wall outlets. To meet this need, Tripp Lite offers a wide variety of power strips with multiple form factors, in lengths from 12 in. to 72 in., with a variety of power cord lengths up to 15 ft. They feature from four to 24 outlets, built-in circuit breakers, and maximum current capacities of up to 20 A. Whatever the power distribution requirement, there is sure to be a suitable configuration.