expired Posted by LovelyCheetah | Staff • Oct 26, 2021
Oct 26, 2021 10:46 PM
Item 1 of 4
Item 1 of 4
expired Posted by LovelyCheetah | Staff • Oct 26, 2021
Oct 26, 2021 10:46 PM
Anker PowerExtend 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector w/ 6-Ft Cord (White)
+ Free Shipping$19
$28
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Note that CE is a near-meaningless mark that manufacturers often use to confuse buyers. It's a self-applied mark from a manufacturer. The organization responsible for CE says it best [europa.eu]:
Now about that UL listing...
You are correct that this product has a UL certification for UL-1363 provided by TÜV [certipedia.com]. That's a problem because this product also claims surge protection but does not have an associated UL listing for UL-1449. A reputable power strip with surge protection will bear UL listing marks and have them clearly labeled for both standards.
It's actually even worse than you suggest. A surprising number of Anker products do indeed have no certification. However, a number have inappropriate certifications for what they are, which really is the most questionable option. You can see this sometimes when the cord bears a UL mark, but not the device itself. There's a popular Anker product shilled on slickdeals that has a listing UL 817, which is explicitly limited to extension cords with molded plug (e.g. - the long orange power cord for your tools, or the white lamp cord with three plugs on it). In actuality the device should be seeking a listing under UL 1363 relocatable taps (which includes power strips like the one in this deal where the outlets are physically distinct from the cord).
That's great that you've done the research. There really are three steps to this process, and you've gone through the first two which is more than most people ever try!
First: does the product claim third party listing? In this case, Anker does! (They don't in every case) Note that proper labeling is normally required, which Anker typically fails... likely for the reasons to come.
(Proper labeling is typically seen as those holographic metal foil labels or clear molding to indicate a listing certificate number and/or the appropriate standards)
Second: does the third party agency confirm the listing? In this case, yes! (See my link to the site above)
Third: do the listings apply to the product in question? Here is where Anker fails most consistently. A power strip with surge protection should have UL 1363 and UL 1449. Anker lacks the latter, which not only makes their surge protection claims suspect (which they also should be given that they exceed those of $100 premier surge strips) but should likely erode trust in their product overall.
To my comment above, you should completely disregard any claims regarding surge protection. With no UL listing for surge protection, this should not be considered a surge protection. When you compare their claims to a highly regarded product in the category (as well as the specifica... [tripplite.com] you start to wonder what else they might be exaggerating... and then you move on from ever buying Anker power products again.
I don't believe there was a negative intent in the poster's comment, simply a misunderstanding regarding the meaning of CE. Technically CE is meant to suggest the manufacturer has performed the appropriate 3rd party testing for applicable products and should appear alongside those marks; this has resulted in CE taking on meaning for many consumers beyond the actual purpose which is simply a promise from the manufacturer. This then requires the reputation of the manufacturer to be taken under consideration. Anker is shilling their third-party Amazon store hard on slickdeals to offset having been kicked out of the ships and sold by Amazon category.
Good luck!
Jon
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I've looked at a bunch of SD for Anker products recently - haven't seem UL approval on any.
Until they have some sort of safety certification, I'll pass.
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I've looked at a bunch of SD for Anker products recently - haven't seem UL approval on any.
Until they have some sort of safety certification, I'll pass.
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