A power strip (also known as a multi-socket, power board and many other variations ) is a block of electrical sockets that attaches to the end of a flexible cable (typically with a mains plug on the other end), allowing multiple electrical devices to be powered from a single electrical socket. Power strips are often used when many electrical devices are in proximity, su. Some power strips include a master to turn all devices on and off. This can be used with simple devices, such as lights, but not with most computers, which must use shutdown commands from the software first. Computers. Many power strips have a or indicator light or one per output socket to show when power is on. Better-quality surge-protected strips have additional lights to indicate the status of the surge protection system, however.