01-08-2023, 12:42 PM
(01-07-2023, 10:47 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: That's interesting. I definitely use them permanently in both Canada and Europe.
European electrical standards are obviously way different, but one thing that is different is that there are far fewer receptacles in a room. I think the Ontario/Canada code is that receptacles must be located every 6 or so in rooms. But seems no such standard exists in the EU...most of our bedrooms have only 2 receptacles. So extension cords are more or less a must if you want to have flexibility in where you locate furnishings.
As for outdoor rating, lol, it's definitely not outdoor rated, it's explicitly "not for outdoor use". Probably not the right thing to do, but I don't leave it outside, I always bring the electrical components into the shed, and usually the whole BBQ as well. It's one nice thing about it being portable is that it's easy to use and to move around.
I think it's interesting power bars are rated differently, given that many of them might have a 10-12 foot cable on them, which are essentially extension cords.
It's about fire risk I guess. Modern North American houses definitely have more outlets, especially kitchens, per code. Power bars can also have more circuitry to avoid fires, so I think that's why they're viewed more positively.