Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Wiring Panel for Structured Wiring The Wiring Panel is the heart of any Structured Wiring job. You should have already chosen the location of your wiring panel when you created your Wiring Plan. This should probably be placed in the basement if you have one. Otherwise, a closet will work too. The benefit of proper structured wiring plan is that all wires terminate in one location - your wiring panel. This makes it much easier to change your setup and to diagnose and repair problems.

Purchasing a wiring panel can add a professional finish to your work, but they can also be expensive. The empty panel might start as low as $50, but you end up getting trapped into using their overpriced modules for phone, cable, and internet distribution. I was able to find a standalone 24 port internet switch for less than the cost of a Leviton 4 port hub. If your wiring panel will be visible (it is located in a closet or small room) then you might want to go with a real wiring panel like the one shown above. Since my wiring panel is hidden in an unfinished closet in the basement, I prefer to save the money and just mount everything to the wall. The wires are visible, but it also has more room makes it easier to move things around.

Any non-electrical wires from outside the home should be run to the wiring panel. As you can see below, most companies are trying to offer the big 3 services (phone, TV, & internet). Having all wires start from the same location makes it easier to switch between companies. Everyone is always offering a better deal for new customers to get them to switch. The panel will then distribute these to the rest of the home. This includes:

With a structured wiring plan, the cable modem is located at the wiring panel in the basement. The incoming cable is run to the cable modem. The Cat5 cable is then run to a internet switch which can then distribute the internet throughout the home. A typical wiring panel will contain a Cable or DSL modem, a internet switch, a WiFi router, phone splitter, TV / satellite splitters, and an alarm panel.

Before cutting any wires, do a rough layout of where each switch, splitter, switch, and panel will be. I like to start at the top with the wires coming in from the street, then the grounds, then splitters at the bottom.

The second method for phone distribution is to simply buy a multi-port phone splitter.

Each wire must be terminated with a 6 pin phone connector. A special crimping tool and phone connectors are required to do this. Each wire in the braid is inserted through its own hole in the connector, then the wires are crimped to hold them in the connector. Finally, the excess wire is trimmed from the end of the connector. Only untwist as little wire as necessary.

For coaxial wires, you must crimp on a coax connector before connecting it to the splitter. Do not use the twist on connectors. You can use a standard wire stripper to strip the coaxial cable, but a custom coax stripper will give you a perfect cut. After stripping the wire, push the braid back on the wire and then crimp on the connector. The white insulator should just be visible inside the connector. Be sure to get the correct RG6 (not RG59) connectors. Make sure that the braid and the inner core do not touch.

All coaxial wires (cable or satellite) coming in from the street should be grounded. Most splitters have built in ground connections, but if they don't you can use a separate grounding block. If the builder hasn't already provided a ground, you will need to run a copper wire from your copper water pipe to under the screw on the grounding block.

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Wiring Panel - Structured Home Wiring

Easyn Home Security IP Camera Test

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Easyn Home Security IP Camera Test - Video

Delivery Caught on Camera! Home Security Camera Catches FedEx Deliveryman Throwing Package on Porch
Pls. Subscribe! home security camera in southern Maryland caught a FedEx deliveryman tossing a package 20 feet onto a concrete porch. The homeowners complain...

By: Breaking News Reports Daily

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Delivery Caught on Camera! Home Security Camera Catches FedEx Deliveryman Throwing Package on Porch - Video

Archos has unveiled a new range of connected objects ahead of CES in Las Vegas next week. Capable of wirelessly working with each other, and synchronizing with iOS and Android smart devices, the new products fall into either Connected Home and Connected Self lines, and include a new tablet, a tiny home security camera, motion sensors, weather monitors, a personal activity tracker and a blood pressure monitor.

The Archos Mini Cam is about the size of a golf ball, has a wide-angle lens and records still images and/or short video footage via a 640 x 490 resolution VGA camera. It's waterproof, so can keep vigil outdoors, comes with a magnetic stand and runs on three CR2450 batteries. Like all of the Archos connected objects, the Mini Cam promises easy set up, and pairs to iOS or Android smart devices over Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) for real-time monitoring and data retrieval via the company's Smart Home app or the new Smart Home Tablet.

The 7-inch, 1024 x 600 resolution Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) pad can be used to set trigger and actions based on different scenarios, such as turning on the lights or setting off the camera when a motion sensor is activated. The tablet features a 1.2 GHz RK3168 dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of onboard storage with SD card expansion, and dual-band Wi-Fi. It also has its own temperature and humidity sensor, and includes an Android Daydream feature that displays interactive screensavers for those who leave the device powered on most of the time.

The Motion Ball looks for movement 110 degrees out front and over a 10 m (33 ft) range. It's also waterproof and powered by three CR2450 batteries. The Movement Tag can be placed on doors or windows to monitor comings and goings. It's able to detect when its two components break their magnetic connection, or when the onboard accelerometer senses movement. This unit is powered by one CR2430 battery. An appliance or lamp plugged into a Smart Plug can be switched on or off using the Smart Home app, which can also be used to monitor the power use of the device plugged into it and report stats.

Archos has created the Weather Station to keep up to date with the weather, CO2 levels, humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and environmental noise levels. Wherever you are in the world, weather information from home and at national level can be accessed via the Archos Weather Station app, which will also store gathered data for later analysis.

When different connected objects are used together, users can control or automate functions around the home, and receive notifications when certain events occur.

The Connected Scales are reported capable of recognizing up to four different users. Archos says that the scales are able to calculate BMI and Fat Mass after user measurements are entered into the system, and benefit from built-in storage so that vital stats are not lost should synchronization be lost. The scales can support a maximum user weight of 397 lb (180 kg), and run on four AAA-sized batteries.

Next up is a bracelet-type Activity Tracker. Basically a pedometer that counts the number of steps taken and records the distance walked, the device can also advise how many calories have been burned. It sports an OLED display, and its integrated Li-Pol battery should last for up to seven days between charges via the included USB connector.

The Blood Pressure Monitor auto inflates and detects systolic, diastolic blood pressure and pulse. The unit alerts the user if an irregular heart beat is detected. It can display information on the LCD screen, filter recorded data by time period, and upload data to a paired smart device over Bluetooth for detailed analysis. This model runs on two AAA-sized batteries.

As with the Connected Home objects, useful metrics gathered from the smart scales, activity tracker and blood pressure monitor can be viewed on a paired iOS or Android device via the Connected Self app.

Read more:
Archos connected objects head to CES

Wallington, NJ (PRWEB) January 02, 2014

Pump Products has assembled an extensive inventory of Bell and Gossett Pumps and repair parts in anticipation of heavy demand this winter. The New Jersey-based pump retailer has assembled Bell & Gossetts most popular pump models along with the corresponding motors, seals, couplers and bearing assemblies in an effort to limit lead time for these items.

Bell & Gossett is the leading name in pumps across the Northeast, Says Product Expert Fred Hettinger. "Their circulator pumps are easy to repair and replace, run quietly and last for years. Winter is high season for this manufacturers pumps and sometimes the lead times are very long. With our current inventory, we should be able to get an order out the same day so customers can get their systems up and running. Along with quick delivery, we're offering free shipping on many items and a lowest price guarantee. You can't beat that for B&G HVAC equipment this winter."

The list of best-selling Bell & Gossett pumps Pump Products has on site and ready to ship includes:

Series 100 Iron Body Circulator Pump, a quiet-running, 3-piece, oil lubricated booster pump that has been an industry mainstay for decades.

Series 100 AB All Bronze Circulator Pump, the bronze version on the popular booster pump designed for pumping potable water.

NRF Series Single Phase Pump, an iron body circulator known for dependability in all season start-ups.

NBF-22 All Bronze Circulator Pump, designed for domestic hot water recirculation, solar thermal heating, and heat recovery systems.

LR 20 WR Little Red Pump, a flanged in-line system pump designed for quiet operation in residential and light commercial closed loop hydronic heating systems.

HV NFI Series Single Phase Pump, a three-piece, oil-lubricated pump designed for easy field service.

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Pump Products Rolls Out Blanket Inventory of Bell & Gossett Pumps and Parts in Preparation for Winter Chill

WYOMING, Mich. Its been a rough Michigan winter already and it is far from over. Dangerously cold air is on its way early next week, with single digit temperatures and wind chills possibly falling as low as -25 degrees.

Its something we havent seen since February 2007.

Local auto repair shops say they have been keeping busy this year. Eric Carlson, owner of Ervines Auto Repair in Wyoming, says they have sold a lot more tires and batteries this winter than last.

Carlson says while cars that regularly get checked should handle this next dose of Mother Nature just fine its the ones already having trouble that could suffer.

Duane Ott, manager at the Belle Tire on Clyde Park in Wyoming says going through a checklist, making sure your battery is good and your heating and cooling system is working correctly can make all the difference.

People take it for granted that theyre going to walk out into their vehicle and its going to start-up every day, but if youre not doing your maintenance items on the vehicle, obviously when these types of things hit youll end up having your problems, he said.

Read more here:
Preparing Your Car for the Impending Arctic Blast

A geothermal heating and cooling system provides a way for a home owner to become more environmentally friendly. The system helps lower their energy bills and reduce the environmental impact of their heating and cooling needs within the home. It is more efficient than the traditional forced air systems that are found in a home, but it costs more in terms of up front expenses. Here are the tools, materials and steps required to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in your home to replace your current inefficient system.

There are different types to consider when purchasing a geothermal heating and cooling system: vertical loops, horizontal loops and well water geothermal system. A vertical loops geothermal heating and cooling system is used when trenches cannot be built because the land is too rocky. A horizontal loops geothermal heating and cooling system runs pipes horizontal to the home in a trench, as oppose to vertically in the ground. Both the vertical and horizontal loops systems are closed loops systems.

The well water geothermal heating and cooling system is a potable or mechanical water well that is drilled in the ground in order to supply water for the system.

You will need to dig holes or required trenches for the installation of the well or pipes in either the vertical or horizontal systems. Use a back hoe that you may be able to rent from a tool rental store or a home improvement center in order to make the job of digging holes easier.

The pipes for the geothermal heating and cooling system need to be laid in accordance to the system that you have. In a vertical system the pipes will be laid directly into the ground. In the horizontal system they will be laid in the trench with the return connection to your home.

Replace the pump in your existing forced air heating and cooling system. Before you begin the installation of the pump, cut off the main circuit breaker to interrupt the flow of electricity to the pump and avoid electrocuting yourself. Cut the wires and connect the new wires from the geothermal pump. Match the ground and hot wires (green or copper for ground and black or red for hot wires. White wires are neutral).

Connect the loops to the geothermal pump in accordance to their connection order (hot to hot, ground to ground).

Start the pump and open the pump valve. The pipes for the vertical or horizontal loops systems need to have a mixture of antifreeze and water introduced into them in order to charge the system and ready it for use. A well water geothermal system will skip this step.

Read this article:
How to Install a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System ...

handyman service is there for all home repairs

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL HARVEY

Bill Harvey is the owner of HandyPro of Bergen County.

Residents in search of professional assistance with their to-do lists can find help in HandyPro of Bergen County.

"HandyPro is a home remodeling company and handyman service with an additional specialization in helping seniors and people with disabilities or special needs," said Bill Harvey, owner of HandyPro of Bergen County.

Disability services include wheelchair ramps and stair lifts.

HandyPro's business philosophy has "a heavy focus on customer service," Harvey said. "That's really what it is providing a level of service that's above and beyond what's expected from this industry."

Harvey is originally from Emerson and is a Bergen County resident.

"One of my goals was to have a business closer to home," he said. "I feel like I'm giving back to the community I grew up in and live in."

HandyPro of Bergen County opened last June.

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Tending to Business: HandyPro of Bergen County

Published: Fri, January 3, 2014 @ 12:01 a.m.

SEE ALSO: McNally's first mayoral issue was dealing with the heavy snowfall

Strong storm pushes into Northeast

By Tom McParland

tmcparland@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

With temperatures expected to plunge below zero within days, the Mahoning Valley is bracing for the worst stretch of weather in what already has been a difficult winter season.

Overnight snow is expected to give way today to extremely low temperatures.

A spokesman for Handyman Supply in Youngstown said it has been a busy season, with spurts of business coinciding with the extreme weather. In addition to the winter staples of shovels, salt and scrapers, the Youngstown hardware store also has been selling wraps to protect water pipes from freezing and rupturing.

The high temperature today is supposed to hit about 14 degrees with a low around 5 degrees and wind chills of minus 10 to 15, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Read more:
Arctic air rolling into Mahoning, Shenango valleys

Need a checklist for your next gutter project? Perhaps a gutter sizing chart to help you gauge your roof's rainfall capacity? Or lets say you have slanted fascia and have no clue as to which shank to use. Welcome to the eGutter Check list and Installation Help library PDF (Adobe's Acrobat Reader required).

We are dedicated to providing you with the very best in installation guidelines on many of our most popular products. Thank you for choosing eGutter!

Please check back periodically to this section. We are constantly updating it with a wide selection of installation and reference documents in PDF.

Our Basic Gutter System Checklist PDF will get you own your way to determining the various gutter components to consider when configuring together your gutter system. You will find it very helpful though it is just a basic guideline.

Learn about the proper gutter sizing considerations with this PDF on proper gutter sizing.

Learn more about the various ways to mount half round gutter. Whether you are installing traditional bead half round gutter to plumb fascia, slanted fascia, cornice fascia, rafter ends, or tile roofs, this Hanger Detail PDF will show you the proper mounting system. See PDF diagram for detail.

If you do not have Adobe's free copy of Acrobat, Click here to download a free copy for your web browser.

Whether you install K Style, Half Round, our custom formed gutter, this checklist will help you list those part the make up an entire system. All gutter sections are shipped in 10 foot or 20 foot sections in protective crating to ensure the highest quality.

These intensities are based on records and statistical projections. They may occasionally be exceeded either in the general area or at small areas within the designated city.

Whether you are installing half round gutter to plumb fascia, slanted fascia, rafter ends, cornice fascia, or a tile roof, this will guide you to proper installation technique.

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Gutter Installation Help And Reference Documents by eGutter®