Smart Home Lifestyle
3 Simple Steps to a Smart Home
If you're like me, patience has never been your virtue; you want it
right, you’d like it all, and you need it now. So, how do
you keep it together when you’re building a new home and start
to loose control? Timelines get longer, funds wear thinner, and
sure things quickly turn to what-ifs. How do you get back on track? Simple,
take it in steps. A smart home is easily obtained if you start
with a base and build from there.
First thing first
Structured wiring is the framework
for a smart home. Want multi-zone music? Easy. How
about distributed audio? Done. Automation? We can
only imagine the future possibilities, so you’d better be prepared.
There’s nothing more important to a smart home, than smart wiring. In
fact, a smart home is defined by its wiring infrastructure and ability
to communicate within an integrated electronics system.
Structured Wiring CEBus
A structured wiring bundle includes
wire for camera surveillance, lighting control and automation systems. You’ll
also get wire to send telephone, computer network and high definition
data throughout your home.
A structured wiring CEBus has four connectors in a receptacle the
size of a switch plate. Two look like a cable jack with the metal
screw ends, and two look like the cord that plugs into your phone, with
the plastic ends. A CEBus helps future proof your wiring needs
and lets you make the most of current technologies- especially computer
networking.
Speaker Wire
Two speaker wires should be provided
in each room except the family room and the home theater, where 5.1
or 7.1 surround sound wiring is appropriate. In a 5.1 system,
the .1 always means the subwoofer. Then you've got three speakers
in the front- right, center and left, and two on the sides- right and
left. A 7.1 system has the addition of two more speakers in the
rear- right and left.
Even if you don't think you'll ever want music in your garage or the
laundry room, remember that wire's cheap, labor- not so much. It's
best to load up on wiring before the drywall goes up.
Volume Controls
And don’t forget to wire for volume controls. Each room
needs at least one- a standard impedance matching volume control, a
touch panel music system or an automation panel. Volume controls
allow sound levels to be adjusted independently by room, while protecting
your amplifier and speakers.
Video Display Wiring
There are three types of video displays,
flat panels, like plasmas and LCDs, rear projection and front projection
TVs. Each requires different wiring, so now is the time to be
thinking about which best fits your lifestyle.
A flat panel needs wire directly behind the monitor, which means,
if you plan on hanging it, you’ll have wires coming out the middle
of the wall. Rear projectors rest on a stand or armoire, so they
can easily utilize one of the CEBus hideouts below. Front projectors
mount to the ceiling above the viewer and project forward towards the
screen, similar to movie theaters. In this case, the wiring needs
to be run up in the ceiling.
If you can't decide which way to go, wire for all three. Leave
any unused wire safely hidden in the walls for future use.
Next stop
After the wiring is in place you
can focus on "built-ins," like volume controls, in-wall/ceiling
speakers and touch panels for lighting control, automation or multi-zone
music systems. These electronics usually stay with the house
when you’re ready to sell, so make sure not to scrimp.
The finale
Now is the time for the fun stuff,
like televisions, receivers,
surround speakers and projection screens. Giving
yourself some breathing room before this step allows for more product
research, less reactive decisions, and a chance to really examine your
lifestyle. Want automation? Fine- the wires are in the
walls. Want to install the latest movie hardrive system? Sure,
no problem. Finally ready to spend the cash for a home theater?
Great, all you need is the
equipment and you're ready to go.
Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec
