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Posted: Dec 21 2012 07:48 pm

My wife and I just made settlement on our new house. Naturally, while the wife is planning what color to paint the kitchen and debating which bedroom will be the nursery, I'm trying to map out my video game setup in the basement.

The basement is finished, but the electrical outlets are not spaced ideally. I was thinking of using an extension cord (one of those heavy-duty orange ones) to get my surge protector into the right place. Then, I'm going to plug the following into the surge protector:

- 50 inch plasma TV
- Xbox 360
- Receiver with 5 speakers
- Subwoofer
- DVD player

My questions are whether this is too many devices to be running on a single outlet, and if using the extension cord for the surge protector is ok or not?

Posted: Dec 21 2012 07:55 pm

The extension cord with a surge protector is ok. You always have the option of installing a new outlet. It's really not that difficult to do if you are willing to learn. It shouldn't cost too much for a single outlet if you hire a professional either.

You can always ask someone at a home improvement store or hardware store, they should(might) be able to point you in the direction to get what you need. The proper extension cord and surge protector should do the trick.

Also, congratulations on your new house!

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

I wouldn't do this.

Outlet to clean electricity surge suppressor to devices. Once you add shit in between you will not get the same quality of electricity. It is fine for electronics that aren't using computer circuits, such as lights and stuff, but not for your high end AV equipment.

Posted: Dec 22 2012 06:50 pm

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'm still not 100% sure where I'm putting the setup, so I'm not sure whether I'll need the extension cord or not.

How about the power consumption, though? Do these devices use enough power that it's getting risky to have them all on one outlet? I don't think anything else is on the same circuit other than the aforementioned items.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

If nothing else major is on the circuit and the electrical in the house is up to date, you'll be fine.

I wouldn't run a hair drier or space heater on the same circuit thought.

Posted: Jan 25 2013 08:18 am

Don't know if you still need help, but here's the rule of thumb:

If the circuit is on a 15 amp breaker, then don't run more than 1600 watts on it at a time. Most devices will specify what their max wattage output is either on themselves or on their AC adapter.