Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shostahoosier]

can I bring a powerstrip from the US and use a convertor to plug the main plug into a power socket?

I dont want to have to buy a convertor for all of my electronics.

[Dodgy Al]

I don't think so. Customs have really started cracking down on the illegal import of power strips. Don't risk it.

[shostahoosier]

are you being serious?

My question was if the powerstrip would work in the outlet...not so much if it was legal

[pkang0202]

What's the point? A powerstrip does NOT convert 220 volts to the 100/110 needed for US.

So, you would need a step-down transformer for those.

If you electronics support 100/110 AND 220 volts then jsut buy:
http://bulkroad.woto.biz/ebay/etc/110_220_ebay.jpg . They are cheap. Just put those on the ends of your plugs and plug them into a Korean powerstrip.

[martypants]

the US power will totally NOT work. Even if you connect it to a step-down tranformer it will will blow a circuit.

What the $%^ are you bringing, beyond small gadgets that will work fine with the small transformers?

[eamo]

If you have more than a few (three or four) devices that can only run on 110V then you can plug a North American 4-way extension (power strip) into your power converter and then plug all your devices into the power strip.

But you can buy step-down (220V to 110V) power converters here in Korea with 2, 3 or even 4 American flat-pin outlets. So you may not need a further extension.

However, you'll probably find that you don't need any of that. Most modern electronics are 'Full Range'. That means they can run off 220V or 110V. Check the label on your device, or charger for device. It will probably say "110V - 220V".

So then all you need is a simple $2 plug adapter.

[bixlerscott]

If the American power strip has a fuse or breaker in it, the higher voltage may kick it off rendering it unreliable. Just get plug adapters on eBay or a store while you still have time which are like only 50 cents to $1 each. On electronics plugs and power bricks, look for something like, "110v~230v" to check for dual voltage use.

http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

No need to pack a heavy transformer either as many electronics such as your laptop, IPOD charger, and camera battery charger as well as AA battery chargers are all dual voltage where they'll run just fine on 230v without blowing up on you. American market hair dryers, curling irons, clothing irons, blenders, mixers, food processors, and other appliances such as a vacuum would fry out in 2 seconds so don't bring them though there are some dual voltage travel versions of these. Just get new ones of these if you need them.

[eamo]

[OiGirl]

I have one, but don't use it much anymore. I plugged it into the box that converts from 220 to 110, as the box only has two plugs and at one point I had 4-5 110 only devices I wanted to use. The only problem I had was that my converter box lacks a ground pin, so I also needed a 110 3 prong to 2 prong adapter.

[Chokse]

I also did what you are planning to do. I got a few Belkin 8-plug power adapters and plugged each into a step-down transformer I bought here in Korea (220 to 110v step-down). It works fine and despite what some of the morons in this post are saying, it will not blow up, melt, or anything along those lines. It will work exactly like it would in the US.

One thing to consider is the plug type. As someone else mentioned, most of the step-down transformers sold in Korea are the two prong plug type (ungrounded) whereas most plug outlets in the US are the three-prong grounded type. You can pick up some of those 3 prong to 2 prong adapters, but they do not work very well. They tend to be very loose and are easy to accidentally pull out from the transformer. A better solution is to buy a few 110v outlets (I got some at Wal-Mart for about $1 each, but here is a link to some at Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Outlets-Plugs/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhmZbm4n/R-100055784/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

If you get the kind pictured in the link, you can open the transformer here (Just requires removing a few Phillips screws from the bottom of the transformer and from behind the taped label on the front of the transformer) and then pull the wires from the two-prong outlet that comes in the transformer and replace it with the three-prong one you bought in the US. The wires all go to the same connections on both, so just pay attention before taking them out of the original one. It still won't be grounded, but it will accept both two-prong and three-prong plugs and will hold them snugly in place.

[pkang0202]

You have to make sure you buy a step-down transformer that will handle the voltage of having all those devices plugged into a power strip.

[neil537]

I'm not american, so never heard of a 'powerstrip', but if it's what I think it is (4/6/8 additional sockets with one plug) then it'll be fine.

I have one from the UK that has 4 additional sockets on it, I use 2 of them all the time (internet radio and external HD) and there are never any problems. Just buy an adaptor from any store and plug it into to the Korean socket. Actually, my UK powerstrip is plugged into a Korean powerstrip, which then goes to a wall socket. Probably unsafe, but no problems in almost 2 years of use.............

[Dodgy Al]

Luckily for you, uk voltage is the same as Korea's. (220-240volts) The US uses 110v, so no, he would not be fine.

fwiw, I brought a british power strip with me. Cut off the British plug and put a Korean plug on it. Just check the voltage on your appliances first. That's kinda important.

[jonbowman88]

I currently use a powerstrip I bought in America. I plug it right into the wall with a plug converter. (not a voltage changer) I make sure only to plug things that say 110-220V into the power strip. Everything works fine. Simple question simple answer

[shostahoosier]