Trying to set up my gaming PC in a basement, electrical questions

[Willystylee]

First off i hope this is the best place to ask this?

Anyways, I just moved into a new place and the only room i can really set up my gaming PC is in our basement which is mostly a washroom, however it has a good amount of space and id like to turn it into somewhat of a mancave. The problem is the basement only has one power outlet, which the washer is plugged into, leaving only one of the outlets free. The basement also has two lightbulb outlets, which i was considering using these: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31yIQPVbqlL._SX300_.jpg things on. Other than that i was obviously planning on using an extension cord and a surge protector. My questions are moslty of the electrical nature:

1. Is setting up my gaming pc possible in this situation?
2. If so, what (if any) risks am i running?
3. Are there any pieces of hardware/equipment/gear i can purchase to make this work out? I'm not particularly savvy when it comes to electric stuff.

Thanks, i appreciate any help i can get.

 

[fkr]

either the washer would work or even that outlet thing should work also. an extension cord would of course work.

all of these run the same issue of having a surge occur or you could trip a fuse.

In any case you need to invest in a very high quality surge protector just to be careful, I know in my place if I am gaming and the wife is cleaning carpets I will trip the breaker (fuse). not that big of a deal but still worrisome as it could create a surge.

you could also invest in a UPS, this will basically connect your computer to a surge protector that also has a battery that will keep your pc on for 15 or more minutes


here is a link with options

http://www.newegg.com/Power-Protection/Category/ID-314?Tpk=ups

apc are trusted

the risk is yours

 

[westom]

In any case you need to invest in a very high quality surge protector just to be careful, I know in my place if I am gaming and the wife is cleaning carpets I will trip the breaker (fuse). not that big of a deal but still worrisome as it could create a surge.

A tripped breaker does not create a surge. But many educated by fear and advertising think otherwise. Then spend obscene amounts of money ($60 or $120) on a near zero surge protector. Using the myth that more expensive is better.

The superior surge protector costs about $1 per protected appliance, is lcoated where wires enter the building, and will actually protect from all types of surges. Anyone can read the numbers. A destructive surge is maybe hundreds of thousands of joules. How many joules those that $80 power strip claim to absobed? Hundreds? A tousand? That is near zero. It only claim to protect from a type of surge already made irreelvant by protection inside the game. A UPS typically claims even less protection. Most ignore numbers and instead listen to hearsay.

The fewer and informed consumers obtain a superior, less expensive, and well proven 'whole hosue' solution from other manufacturers with better reputations. Such as ABB, Intermatic, Syscom, General Electric, Square D, Polyphase,, Leviton, Ditek, Siemens and Cutler-Hammer. Because even that power strip and UPS need protection only possible from the 'whole house' solution.

OPs best solution is to route a new receptacle. That light socket plug is only for temporary purposes. Routing a new wall receptacle is often so easy in a basement. Find an informed friend or electrician. Don't screw around with speculaton or hearsay. Electricity commands respect.

 

[fkr]

something that would trip a breaker that is occurring inside the house could create that surge and in the case that i am referring to adding another breaker in between the outlet and the computer could help.


why are there GFI in bathrooms if they do nothing and how could you explain how an inline fuse would not work.

so a destructive surge is how large but yet static electricity can fry a computer. do the protections on power supplies in computers actually work and if so how do we explain that.

op could just as easily replace the lightbulb with a wall socket from home depot and plug a light into that and a computer.

 

[westom]

something that would trip a breaker that is occurring inside the house could create that surge and in the case that i am referring to adding another breaker in between the outlet and the computer could help.

Disconnecting power (creating zero volts) does not create a surge (120 VAC rising to thousands of volts). Even GFCIs do not claim to avert surges. Even static electricity that can fry parts when outside a system are made completely irrelevant when parts are part of that system.

Nobody said protectors are inside appliances. Protector and protection are two completely different actors. Protection inside appliances must be so robust as to make some of the 'dirtiest' power (from a UPS in battery backup mode) irrelevant.

You have assumed a high priced protector is superior. Best protector (even from direct lightning strikes) costs about $1 per protected appliance. And is irrelevant to what a fuse does, dropping voltage due to a tripped breaker, what a GFCI addresses, what a UPS is for, and static electricity. Each is or addresses a completely different anomaly.

GFCI is about a completely different anomaly that does not harm appliances but may kill humans.

All electronics must be so robust as to protect from static electric discharges. However an additional layer of protection is sufficient air humidity

Best is to install a new wall receptacle to provide reliable and human safe power. Best is to earth a 'whole house' protector to make surges irrelevant - to even protect a UPS.