Extension cord?

[PrincessShmoo]

I know that extension cords are prohibited. But is this not an extension cord (technically)?


OK, it doesn't have a "cord", like this


But why isn't it the same?

(I'm totally clueless about electrical stuff)

 

[Bishoparc]

Technically would be a 3 way splitter (or 3 way outlet tap). They would probably categorize it as a power strip if I had to guess.

 

[MSPeeler]

Are "power strips" allowed??

 

[phinz]

Are "power strips" allowed??

No.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I found this on another board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49476307&postcount=65

Essentially, surge protectors on a ship (in sea water) could end up causing a fire. Many extensions have surge protectors, even if they don't say so, ergo, they've been banned due to the potential risk of fire on the ship.

Leastways, that's what I got from the posting. As for whether your 3-way would be flagged, I don't know. I do know that if you need an extension cord, you can ask for one (and pay a deposit, so they get it back) that would be approved, which implies there are some extensions that are okay.

 

[xlxo]

I used to bring powerbars.... but those affordable taps don't take up as much luggage space.

 

[Anisum]

Most of what I generally need to charge are things that have a USB port on one end. So I use a multicharger like the one below. It plugs directly into the wall so it's not an extension cord in anyway so if you have a lot of products that require charging it may be a good compromise. If the taps aren't allowed.

 

[xlxo]

Check out the price at this link!
http://www.ncix.com/detail/linke-smart-ic-4-2a-4-port-usb-7b-110197.htm

I got one last month and love it! Sure minimizes luggage space!

 

[DLM1980]

I have two of the anker Chargers and love them. Though mine has a cord that plugs into it the wall. It was definitely allowed on the wonder last February. I recommend that over the one above because it fits in smaller spaces and not having to worry the plug might not fit due to tight spaces or other "wall warts"

The best thing about carrying this is at the airport when everyone is jockeying for two outlets and 2 USB ports you can ply this in and let 4 or 5 other people nearby charge with you. I've even gotten some cheap 10 feet usb extension cables so I can have both my partner and I have our phones on each other's side of the bed

 

[PrincessNP]

I think that you can request an extension cord on the cruise ship and they let you use one for your cruise. My Mom has a CPAP machine and I am pretty sure that is what she used. Anyone know?

 

[CM Dad]

I think that you can request an extension cord on the cruise ship and they let you use one for your cruise. My Mom has a CPAP machine and I am pretty sure that is what she used. Anyone know?

My wife has a CPAP machine and we borrowed and extension cord from Guest Services on our last card. You need to make sure you turn it in before disembarking or be charged a $50 fee. Last cruise was actually a B2B, so I needed to do this twice, since they close out there books after each cruise.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Do you remember if there was anything special about their approved extension cord?

 

[DLM1980]

Do you remember if there was anything special about their approved extension cord?

They are approved

 

[C6PT7]

I know that extension cords are prohibited. But is this not an extension cord (technically)?
View attachment 163482

OK, it doesn't have a "cord", like this
View attachment 163483

But why isn't it the same?

(I'm totally clueless about electrical stuff)

Hi PrincessShmoo,

What you have is just a power splitter tap. Internally it just splits the hot prong on the plug to the hot receptacles, the ground prong to the ground receptacles and so on.
There are no surge suppression devises and therefore it presents no problem electrically on ships

The reason for no extension cords is that many, not all, are made of cheap plastic insulation which easily crack with age or fray and with inadequate strain reliefs at each end, or inadequate gauge cables to carry a full load, so perfectly good for say a table lamp, but not a high powered hairdryer for example. When they are overloaded they heat up, the insulation melts and they short out.
Without the cruise line inspecting everybody's extension cords to ensure they are in good condition and questioning what they are for, they cannot guarantee they will be safely used.

HTH's!

 

[C6PT7]

Are "power strips" allowed??

No.

Technically powerstrips are allowed, it's surge suppressers that are not allowed, so a powerstrip without surge suppression is not a problem.

• Extension cords or surge protectors

But as in my reply to PS above, without inspecting everyones powerstrip, the dcl cannot tell.

FigmentSpark is correct in their interpretation of what the chief engineer was saying.
And the loaner extension cords are inspected and made of heavy duty, high quality cable and are suited to being put under maximum load without burning up

 

[C6PT7]

Most of what I generally need to charge are things that have a USB port on one end. So I use a multicharger like the one below. It plugs directly into the wall so it's not an extension cord in anyway so if you have a lot of products that require charging it may be a good compromise. If the taps aren't allowed.

The one thing to be careful about is that many of these multi chargers have surge suppressors built in!
That is the one thing the cruise lines do not want as that is what can cause a fire.
The chief engineer goes into details here about what you should look out for if you are going to purchase one for use on the ships.

I researched this product for a Carnival forum thread, and found that it is in fact surge protected. There are very few USB ports that are not surge protected, and it takes some research to the manufacturer's website, or even contacting them to be sure. The only one I have found that is guaranteed not to have a surge protector is the Zilu 4 port hub. This information was received directly from Zilu, and was informed that all of their other products weresurge protected. Unfortunately, buying online does not allow checking the packaging or the fine print on the device, so the buyer should be wary.

Well, there is the USCG Safety Notice, and the NFPA UL 1449. The USCG Safety Notice is written about two fires on cargo ships, but you'll just have to take my word for it that there is no difference between the wiring of a cruise ship or a cargo ship. The grounding systems are the same, because they both face the same problem when you introduce stray electrical current into the steel hull in sea water: electrolysis. NFPA UL 1449, if you buy a copy of it, lists the additional protective devices required in a surge protector when used in impedence grounded systems, which while not called out specifically as marine, that is what they are. The post by cavediving that is referenced in post #7 has descriptions of the problems caused when using surge protectors onboard ships by a professor of marine engineering at Texas A&M. Not sure what more I can give, and I don't know that there has been a documented case of this kind of fire on a cruise ship, but the lines' insurance companies are interested enough to require the recent changes in policy.

I feel strongly enough about this, that I have researched a lot of products, not only on consumer websites, but the manufacturer's websites, and have even gone to e-mailing the manufacturer if I cannot get definitive answers. Two products I have found that are not surge protected are:

The above referenced uber product, I am not sure of any other uber product, but this specific one is fine.

Zilu 5 USB port hub. This, and this one only, from Zilu is not surge protected. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V33RCTU

Just about any power strip (outlets only) from Home Depot, Walmart, etc., in the $3-5 range (including one from Belkin) are fine.

This Monster brand power strip is okay: http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG...ds=power+strip

Powercube-usa has a product that is multi-outlet and multi-USB, without a surge protector, but it doesn't get very good ratings for sturdiness.

I checked the manufacturer's site on this: http://amzn.com/B003TXRTNG, it is okay.

I make no recommendation as to any of the above products performance (sturdiness, usability, convenience, etc.), as I have never actually used any of them (except the Home Depot $3 power strip).

I've answered on several threads over the last couple months about this, and if you search those threads (via my posts), you'll see many products that I've researched that are in fact surge protected when not obviously advertised as such.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49476307&postcount=65

 

[summerskye]

I know that extension cords are prohibited. But is this not an extension cord (technically)?
View attachment 163482

OK, it doesn't have a "cord", like this
View attachment 163483

But why isn't it the same?

(I'm totally clueless about electrical stuff)

The world is real & round after all. After having so many questions answered by PrincessShmoo, I am at a loss that she had a question. She has had an answer for so many of us. It is hard to believe the all-knowing and all-wonderful PrincessShmoo is human after all...

Thank you Shmoo for all your advise, keep it up.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The world is real & round after all. After having so many questions answered by PrincessShmoo, I am at a loss that she had a question. She has had an answer for so many of us. It is hard to believe the all-knowing and all-wonderful PrincessShmoo is human after all...

Thank you Shmoo for all your advise, keep it up.

Well, thank you. But the reason I have answers is because I ask questions. I try to learn something new every day.

 

[phinz]

Technically powerstrips are allowed, it's surge suppressers that are not allowed, so a powerstrip without surge suppression is not a problem.

• Extension cords or surge protectors

But as in my reply to PS above, without inspecting everyones powerstrip, the dcl cannot tell.

FigmentSpark is correct in their interpretation of what the chief engineer was saying.
And the loaner extension cords are inspected and made of heavy duty, high quality cable and are suited to being put under maximum load without burning up

Technically, a power strip *is* an extension cord. It just has several plugs at the end of the extension cord.

 

[C6PT7]

Technically, a power strip *is* an extension cord. It just has several plugs at the end of the extension cord.

Yes, technically and taken in the literal sense, it could be defined as an extension cord. However if you read the chiefs posts, it isn't so much about cord on the power strip, but ones that have surge protectors that cause a problem on ships specifically.
Thats why something like this is actually ok and safe

Also for extension cords, some cheap thinner ones do not run at full 15 amps like this $7 cord from Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Axis-UCU203P-UCU203R-Axis-3-Outlet-Indoor-Extension-Cord-8-White/19977253

So if someone brings one because it's nice and thin and lightweight, plugs a 1800w hairdryer (15 amps), and a flat iron in at the same time, thats around 2100 watts, so 17.5 amps on a extension cord only rated for 13 amps.