GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 10 Ft Extension Cord, Power Strip, 600 Joules, Twist-to-Close Safety Covers, Protected Indicator Light, UL Listed, Black, 37442

A long cord that actually changes the setup game

A 10-foot power cord doesn’t sound like a big deal until you’re trying to reach behind a desk cluster, under a workbench, or across a garage bay. That’s where the GE power strip earns its keep. It’s a simple six-outlet surge protector with a low-profile plug and practical safety features, and it’s become a quiet workhorse in my home office and workshop. It’s not trying to be a do-everything power center; it’s a straightforward, reliable strip with just enough protection for everyday gear.

Design and build

The housing is plastic but feels sturdy, with none of the creakiness or flex you sometimes find in bargain strips. The six outlets are aligned in a single row. Spacing is typical—fine for standard plugs and slim wall warts, but chunky adapters will crowd neighbors. If you rely on oversized “brick” adapters, you’ll want to use short pigtail extenders or save a couple of outlets for those.

The on/off rocker switch is large and clear, doubling as a reset for the integrated circuit breaker. There’s also a “Protected” indicator light to confirm the surge components are active. No flashy LEDs or unnecessary ornamentation here—just functional controls that are easy to see at a glance.

Two small details stand out in daily use:
- Twist-to-close safety covers on every outlet. These keep dust and debris out and add a little child-resistant peace of mind. They can rotate shut on their own if you brush them or unplug often, so expect a tiny bit of extra fiddling when plugging in. Worth it if your space gets dusty or you’re around curious kids.
- Keyhole slots on the back for mounting. They’re properly molded and hold firm when the strip is screwed to a wall, desk edge, or cart. If you plan to mount it, mark the screw spacing with painter’s tape or a paper template so you don’t fight alignment later.

The cord and plug: small decisions, big convenience

The 10-foot cord is the hero feature. It’s jacketed in durable PVC, remains pliable enough to route cleanly, and has held up well to occasional repositioning around furniture and under shelving. The flat, angled plug sits flush to the wall, so the strip slides behind cabinets or desks without pushing them out. On my outlets, the plug didn’t block the neighboring receptacle, which let me keep a lamp or charger in the second wall socket.

If you’ve ever daisy-chained extension cords just to get a power strip where you need it, this solves that problem the right way—safer, neater, and less prone to tripping a breaker.

Surge protection and safety

This unit is rated at 600 Joules. In plain terms, that’s entry-level protection that’s suitable for routers, streaming boxes, TVs, small speakers, lamps, chargers, and most office gear. It’s not the right choice if you’re trying to protect a high-end gaming PC, studio equipment, or a full AV stack in a storm-prone area—those setups deserve a higher Joule rating (1,000–2,000+), tighter clamping voltage, and possibly line conditioning.

That said, the protection here is appropriate for what this strip is designed to be: a reliable, everyday hub with a safety net for common voltage spikes. The integrated circuit breaker trips cleanly under overload, and the UL listing provides baseline assurance that it’s been tested for electrical safety.

Two practical tips:
- Glance at the “Protected” light when you switch it on. If it’s out, the surge components may be spent and it’s time to replace the strip.
- Avoid daisy-chaining power strips or running space heaters, microwaves, or other high-draw appliances off any strip. That’s how you pop breakers—or worse.

Day-to-day performance

In my office, the GE power strip powers a monitor, laptop dock, desk lamp, and a network switch without drama. Startup surges don’t trip the breaker, and the switch is easy to toggle with a toe tap when I’m shutting down for the day. In the garage, the safety covers keep sawdust out, which is a pleasant surprise; most strips get gritty fast when they live near a miter saw.

Noise and heat are non-issues. The strip doesn’t hum, and even under sustained light loads it stays cool to the touch. The long cord has been especially helpful when I roll a cart out for a temporary workstation—the cord reaches the wall neatly with no need for an extra extension.

Mounting and workspace setup

This strip is happiest when given a home. On a workbench, I like it mounted horizontally under the front lip so cords drop straight down and stay out of the cutting area. On a desk, mounting it vertically along a leg or the back edge keeps plugs accessible without turning the floor into a spaghetti nest.

Because the plug is flat, you can push furniture nearly flush to the wall and still keep both receptacles available. That small win matters in tight rooms.

What it doesn’t do

• No USB ports. If you charge phones and tablets directly from your strip, this one won’t help. I prefer keeping chargers modular anyway, but some will miss built-in USB-A/C.
• No coax, phone, or Ethernet protection. If you’re protecting a cable modem or satellite box, look elsewhere or use separate in-line protectors.
• Average outlet spacing. Bulky adapters can block adjacent receptacles. A couple of short pigtails in your kit can save you from rearranging everything.
• Modest protection. The 600J rating is fine for everyday electronics but not ideal for high-value or mission-critical rigs. If you live in a lightning-prone area or have expensive equipment, step up to a higher-rated surge protector or a line-interactive UPS.

Durability and longevity

After extended use, the cord jacket shows no splitting or kinks, and the plug blades haven’t loosened. The rocker switch is still crisp, and the outlet contacts grip snugly without being overly tight. The twist covers continue to rotate smoothly. As with all surge protectors, their protective capacity isn’t infinite; a major surge can degrade the MOVs silently. That’s why the indicator light matters—treat it as your “replace me” signal.

Who it’s for

• Home office users who need a long reach from a wall outlet to a desk cluster.
• Workshop or garage setups where dust protection and a stouter cord are useful.
• Renters and dorm rooms with poorly placed outlets and tight furniture clearances.
• Anyone who wants a basic, UL-listed power strip from a recognizable brand, with a flat plug and straightforward controls.

Who should look elsewhere: Folks with large, valuable AV stacks or gaming/production PCs should consider a higher-Joule surge protector or a UPS. If you need USB charging or wider outlet spacing, there are strips tailored to those needs.

Practical setup tips

• Use the back keyholes. Mounting reduces floor clutter, makes cables easier to manage, and keeps the switch within reach.
• Label your plugs. A simple tag or color wrap on each cable saves time when you need to power-cycle a single device.
• Periodically check the protected light and the tightness of each plug. If an outlet feels loose or the light goes out, retire the strip.

Recommendation

I recommend the GE power strip as a dependable, no-nonsense option for home offices, workshops, and general household use where a long cord and flat plug are real advantages. The build is solid for the price, the 10-foot reach reduces the temptation to chain extensions, and the safety touches—UL listing, integrated breaker, twist-to-close covers, and a clear protect indicator—make it easy to live with. Its 600J rating is best for everyday electronics, not premium or mission-critical gear, and the lack of USB ports may be a minus for some. But if you want a straightforward, durable strip that’s easy to place and easy to trust for typical loads, this one fits the brief well.