I've got a pretty big room, but there's only one outlet available. I'd really like to extend cords to my "office/art room" and bedroom so I can set up some lights and plug in a TV. What are my options for safely adding more power sources?
4 Answers
Just a heads-up: using a lot of extension cords can cause problems with insurance, as they can lead to fires. If you let your landlord know about this, it might motivate them to put in a couple more outlets for you.
Definitely check what kind of electrical setup you're dealing with. If it's old knob and tube wiring, you might be limited. Opening up the walls could help you assess whether you can add outlets or if you'll need to upgrade everything. Better to find out now than later!
A solid option is to grab a surge protection power strip with a long cord. Just be careful not to overload the single outlet. For your TV and a couple of lights, it should work fine. You can use a big power strip for more plugs, but if you keep adding devices, it's safer to spread them out across multiple outlets if possible.
If you're renting, it might be best to talk to your landlord about adding more outlets. It's usually a simple fix for an electrician and could save you from any safety issues with excessive extension cords.
That's a good point! I didn't realize landlords might be open to that as a solution.