Tripp Lite Bench & Cabinet Power Strips - 12 and 16 Outlet

Our review looks at Tripp Lite's bench and cabinet power strips, available in a 12-outlet 36 in model and a 16-outlet 48 in model, aimed at users who need many outlets in a compact vertical or horizontal mounting. The biggest reason to buy is straightforward: these power strips deliver dense, well-spaced receptacles with a heavy-duty cord and rugged metal housing, making them ideal for workshop benches, server racks, or utility cabinets where durability and outlet spacing matter. They stand out for build quality and practical installation hardware rather than fancy surge features.

Key Features

• High outlet count: The 12-outlet unit provides a mix of ten NEMA 5-15R and two NEMA 5-20R receptacles while the 16-outlet unit offers sixteen NEMA 5-15R outlets, giving flexibility for a variety of plugs and equipment.
• Long cord length: Each strip includes a 15 ft cord, which lets the unit reach distant wall outlets or be routed neatly in cabinets and racks without added extension cords.
• Ample outlet spacing: Outlets are spaced 2.64 in center-to-center on the 12-outlet model and 2.717 in on the 16-outlet model, reducing blockage from transformers and large adapters.
• Circuit breaker protection: Both models include circuit breaker overload protection to help protect connected equipment from overloads without adding complex electronics.
• Durable metal housing: The rugged all-metal aluminum enclosure resists everyday wear in workshops or utility spaces and accepts the included mounting clips for vertical or horizontal installation.
• Mounting versatility: Supplied mounting clips and hardware allow quick installation to racks, benches, or cabinet walls for a tidy, permanent power solution.

Who It's For

These power strips are best for technicians, hobbyists, small server closets, and anyone who needs many outlets close together and expects a durable, mountable unit. The mixed outlet arrangement on the 12-outlet model is particularly useful where both standard and commercial 20A devices might be used. The 16-outlet model is a solid choice for environments that use many standard 5-15 plugs.

Those who should look elsewhere include consumers who need advanced surge suppression, EMI filtering, or smart networked power management, since these units prioritize rugged distribution, outlet spacing, and overload protection rather than feature-rich surge or remote monitoring capabilities.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid, heavy-duty construction and a 15 ft cord make the strips durable and easy to position.
• Well-spaced outlets minimize blocked receptacles when using transformers or bulky adapters.
• Includes mounting clips and hardware for quick vertical or horizontal installation.
• 12-outlet model offers two commercial NEMA 5-20R receptacles for higher-current devices.

Cons

• Not designed as a surge protector or for advanced power conditioning features.
• The units are focused on utility and durability rather than aesthetic finish for visible living spaces.

Specifications

Models	36 in 12-outlet (PS361220) and 48 in 16-outlet (PS4816)
Outlets	PS361220: 10 NEMA 5-15R + 2 NEMA 5-20R; PS4816: 16 NEMA 5-15R
Cord length	15 ft
Plug type	PS361220: 5-20P; PS4816: 5-15P
Electrical capacity	PS361220: 20 amp; PS4816: 15 amp
Outlet spacing	PS361220: 2.64 in center-to-center; PS4816: 2.717 in center-to-center
Housing	All-metal aluminum with mounting clips for vertical or horizontal installation

Our Verdict

For workshops, equipment racks, and utility cabinets that need many reliably spaced outlets and a rugged installation option, these Tripp Lite bench and cabinet strips are a practical, cost-effective choice. They deliver excellent build quality, long cord reach, and mounting versatility; buyers seeking surge suppression or networked power management should consider other products, but for pure outlet distribution these are hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these strips include surge protection?
No. Both models include circuit breaker overload protection but are not marketed as surge protectors or power conditioners.

Can I mount the strip vertically in a rack?
Yes. The units ship with mounting clips and hardware for vertical or horizontal installation in racks, on benches, or inside cabinets.

Will large AC adapters block adjacent outlets?
Outlet spacing of 2.64 in (12-outlet) and 2.717 in (16-outlet) center-to-center is designed to reduce adapter blockage for many common transformers, though very large adapters may still limit adjacent use.