A power strip lets you connect multiple devices, including computers, printers and fax machines, to one power outlet. In addition to giving you several extra sockets to plug in your devices, power strips usually come with a cord that is long enough to allow your printer, for example, to sit several feet from the nearest wall outlet.

When shopping for a power strip, consider products that go the extra mile. For example:
1. Smart power strips help you hold down energy costs.
2. With a remote controlled power strip, you don’t have to be on site to turn power on and off.
3. Surge protector power strips help prevent damage to your electronic equipment during lightning storms and other events that cause power surges.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Energy-saving power strips

Does every space heater and photocopier need to be left on for 10 hours a day? Smart surge protector power strips help reduce energy consumption by turning on the power to certain equipment only when the equipment is needed. You can use sensors to gauge the presence or absence of workers or, you can program these power strips to turn on and off according to the date, time or the equipment’s usage pattern.

I recommend: SmartHomeUSA makes affordable surge protector power strips that are also smart power strips. The Business.com circuit and surge protection page includes surge protector power strips with more advanced capabilities. Not sure if the “smart” route is a wise investment for you? Monitor how long your equipment is left on without being used, and how much power they consume. Watt Stopper’s Plug Load Analyzer can help you estimate what you can save on your electricity costs by installing smart power strips.

Industrial-strength power strips

Looking for hospital-grade surge protector power strips, flexible power control or customized power strip solutions?

I recommend: Tripp Lite’s product line includes a variety of power strips for industrial applications. Turn to companies such as Rackmount Solutions for a custom-made power strip that meets your unique needs.

Power strips for power trips

If you’re a gadget-toting traveler, hotel rooms with only a couple of free wall outlets won’t do. You need a power strip to double as a recharging station for your digital camera, cell phone and other devices.

I recommend: Monster Power’s Outlets to Go is a lightweight power strip that is designed for travelers. For international travel, BuyTravel.com sells a three-outlet power strip that will accept a wide variety of plugs from almost every corner of the world.

Power strip helpers

Sometimes your power strip needs an accessory or two.

I recommend: Watt Stopper makes a receiver that lets you turn power strip outlets on and off from a remote location. If your power strip is too crowded to make room for over-sized plugs, The Power Strip Liberator gives you more space. Business.com also provides vendor listings for more specific technical needs like circuit breaker accessories and enclosures and fuses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many electronic devices continue to use energy when they’re turned off. If you’re determined to shrink your electric bill, turn off your power strip after you’ve turned off the devices connected to it.
• •  Be careful to not overload a power strip. Some people mistakenly believe that surge protector power strips will protect them from power-strip overload. Check the manual to find out your power strip’s capacity.
• •  If you opt for a smart power strip that uses sensors to determine when to turn equipment on and off, you can use an ultrasonic sensor or a passive infrared (PIR) sensor. Ultrasonic sensors are more sensitive, but also more likely to falsely trigger. PIR sensors will work only in office settings where they’re equipment they’re controlling is within the sensor’s line of sight.