For close to
20 years, Mrs JT8D and I have been using $2 standard US extension cords cut to leave female 3-tap receptacle end and replace the plug end with a standard replacement US male plug. The "shorty" cord has a total overall length of 8". The US male plug can then be plugged into a standard plug adapter for the country we're in.
This little device extends the receptacle end out from the wall outlet and its congestion and provides 3 female US receptacles. (Works in congested gatehouses too, as you can plug in the existing person's cord and also accommodate yours.) I only regularly use this for two small Apple devices.
Obviously, this shorty setup does NOT include surge protectors or voltage transformers in the extension cord. But no smoke, no sparks, no warm or hot wires. I'm sure that some EE will explain to me that this can't possibly work, but hey,....... its just a piece of wire!
My teeny, tiny travel kit for an iP7 and an iPad Air 2 includes
- Anker 2 port dual voltage USB charger
- Qty 2 Apple Lightning cords 2m / 10 ft long (easily long enough to reach desktop or bed)
- My custom "shorty" extension cord (as above)
- Country specific plug adapter
This little kit is in a small mesh zipper 4.5" x 6" bag, with the thickest part being the @ 1.5" thickness of the small Anker charger.