I'm starting out mining and expecting the antminer S9, i understand it doesn't come packed with an electricity cable, do I get one from maplin and plug into a typical three pin wall socket or do i need to get an electrician to put in a "special" socket instead?
EDIT: I don't expect you to respond unless you are from the UK, otherwise it's just pointless.
Im from the UK and run an S9 a few months back. You will need a server psu and breakout board or bitmains APW3(or current variant) to power it. The lead is a standard “kettle lead” (c13 type i think) with obviously the UK plug on one end (which should already be fitted and maplins do stock them).
You can run it from a standard plug socket in your garage aslong as its the only major load on that ring. Dont go plugging in another high wattage appliance otherwise you will trip your breaker/fuse.
If you are running it in the garage you will need to have an internet connection for the ethernet port (wireless switch, powerline ethernet adaptor etc).
Also take into account your electricity cost. In Essex I pay £0.13kwh which meant I only ever broke even. Not sure what it means now with the price rise in BTC but I cant run a newer S9 due to noise anyway.