House Wiring | Ask the Builder

Electrical|New Construction text: Tim Carter

Are you still a non-believer in technology? I doubt it since you are reading this article! But there are folks like that out there. In fact, I talked to one yesterday. He thinks the Internet is a hoax of sorts and that there is going to be huge consolidation of this media form. He compared it to the early days of the railroad industry here in the United States. His points were well made, I must admit.

Evidently, there were lots of little railroads and lots of investor speculation in railroads over 125 to 150 years ago. Well, there was a big shake out and lots of railroads got gobbled up, and he said that investors lost lots of money. Well, we surely have consolidation happening now, but I feel that we are just beginning to scratch the surface. Investors lose money everyday. You just need to do your homework so you are one of the winners, not the losers!

Just What is Possible?

Installing structured wiring allows you to do all sorts of things. I found a list of possibilities at a very cool website - imagine being able to do the following:

These are just a few things you can do when you have great wiring in your home. Imagine what we will be able to do ten years from now!

The key to automation is the wiring that connects sensors and operating devices to those things that control them. Groups have been working for years to develop a standard for wiring and it is now available. Because technology changes rapidly, I expect the standard to change as well.

Wiring Tips

Home automation wiring is low voltage. This means that the actual wire is smaller and this means it is more tender than the regular high voltage wire your electrician installs. Home automation wiring needs to be installed carefully. It also needs to be installed at the right time.

If you are building a new home, the plumbing, heating and cooling, and the high voltage wiring should be totally complete before the low voltage wiring is installed. The home automation technicians know the damage that a plumber's torch can do to their cables! What's more, you should not install low voltage automation cable through the same holes that high voltage wires pass through. It is always best to drill new holes as far away from the high voltage wires as is practical.

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House Wiring | Ask the Builder