Will this be safe to use in Canada?

[NewGuy]

I bought an Anitech powerbar, On-off switch, 2 USB charging ports, 4 x 3 hole regular plugs. I have a three-into-2 slats plug.

 

i will be using it to charge phones, iPad, laptop - stuff like that.

 

The Anitech model number is H624-GY1903. Various numbers, front and back:

 

50/60 Hz,

Total: 10A / 250V~

Max: 2200W  IP20

 

I’ve just been told by a JIB guy that it is safe, followed by don’t use it in Canada.

 

Anitech looks like it is running on fumes, phone numbers go to automated system, choices don’t get picked up, online site seems to work but their email link results in can’t deliver, in box full, their Facebook presence sends me to Messenger, my message resulted in a link to Line, can’t find them there, their twitter handle results in a site with no posts after 2011.  

 

Maybe they do everything out of China.

 

Anyway, please tell me if the unit safe for Ontario use.

 

Thanks all.

 

 

 

 

[NewGuy]

Just found an old old powerbar. On the back it has:

 

Thai words + “220v” + short Thai word + “110 VAC” + many Thai words + “2000 W”.

 

What’cha think?

 

 

[Crossy]

OK, the good news is that it will be safe on 120V.

 

Less good is that it's 10A so a max power of 1200W (10A at 120V).

 

Bad news is that the USB chargers may not work on 120V, it all depends upon the design of the electronics. With no proper markings that one is going to have to be a suck-it-and-see job. If the ports work great, if they don't, well it works as a power strip.

 

[NewGuy]

Thanks Crossy.

[sometimewoodworker]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

Bad news is that the USB chargers may not work on 120V, it all depends upon the design of the electronics. With no proper markings that one is going to have to be a suck-it-and-see job. If the ports work great, if they don't, well it works as a power strip.

 

I would also be extremely wary of using the USB charging points in any event.

 

Cheap USB chargers are exactly that and it is not worth risking expensive electronics on cheap chargers.

 

You can get quality chargers, they aren't cheap, or cheap chargers and the quality isn't good.

 

I don't know of any USB chargers built into consumer power strips that are good quality and since they are usually powered on all the time they are also likely to die quite quickly.

[trevor67]

Plug all your gear into the powerbar, then turn it on......take one for the team.????

[Fruit Trader]

3 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

I don't know of any USB chargers built into consumer power strips that are good quality and since they are usually powered on all the time they are also likely to die quite quickly.

Are quality power strips with built in USB charging ports available - YES

 

Can long term reliability be achieved from switch mode power supplies that are constantly powered up - YES +++

 

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

Are quality power strips with built in USB charging ports available - YES

 

Can long term reliability be achieved from switch mode power supplies that are constantly powered up - YES +++

 

Are they cheap, No

 

Would that be considered a consumer or professional power strip?

 

Have you actually disassembled one to check the quality of the USB PSU? Real, not leading question.

 

It doesn't look from the pricing that it's of professional quality, so before trusting my expensive kit to it I would certainly want to check 

[Fruit Trader]

1 hour ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Are they cheap, No

 

Would that be considered a consumer or professional power strip?

 

Have you actually disassembled one to check the quality of the USB PSU? Real, not leading question.

 

It doesn't look from the pricing that it's of professional quality, so before trusting my expensive kit to it I would certainly want to check 

Quote - I don't know of any USB chargers built into consumer power strips that are good quality and since they are usually powered on all the time they are also likely to die quite quickly.

My post addresses the above only so no need to drift off into price.

The product shown is a consumer item.

 

I have experience repairing surge components inside the popular APC and Belkin strips. We currently have a Belkin on the bench with fail indication. Both brands had well designed USB power supplies built with quality components and the all important good isolation.