Proper preparation is key to creating a seamless and efficient connected living space. One of the most crucial aspects of this preparation is setting up the right cabling infrastructure. While many smart devices are wireless, a robust wired backbone can significantly enhance your smart home’s performance, reliability, and future-proofing capabilities. This article will guide you through the essential cables you need to prepare for various smart home systems, ensuring your house is ready for the latest in home automation technology.
From networking and security to lighting and climate control, we’ll cover the cabling requirements for each major component of a smart home. Whether you’re building a new home or retrofitting an existing one, this guide will help you make informed decisions about the cabling infrastructure that will serve as the foundation of your smart home ecosystem.
Let’s get into the specifics of what you’ll need to transform your house into a cutting-edge smart home.
For Network:
You want to run Cat6 cabling from the central point (hub) to at least 1 central point in the ceiling space per floor.
1 data point to each room in the house is also a good idea.
The central point becomes the communications hub for your home, the best location for it may be a study or in the garage.
Remember to run a Cat6 cable to your entertainment system or home theatre, if you have any. If your set up will be more advance you might want to run fiber cable to future proof 4K 8K streaming and Audio Visual distribution.
Our system recommendation will be a unify network system.
For CCTV:
You want to run Cat6 cabling from the central point (hub) to at least entry door, front of the house, sides and back area so you can install a select smart IP camera system.
Our system recommendation will be unify cameras system.
For Alarm and Security:
You want to run Cat6 cabling from the central point (hub) where the alarm panel will be installed.
Most alarm systems will have a IP module option to connect your alarm panel to the network. Our system recommendation will be a Bosch alarm
For Lighting Control:
If you are going to use a bus wiring system.
The bus wiring will go in Daisy chain to each smart device back to a central panel.
If you are going to use a wireless systems, make sure you have neutral available at each light switch.
Our recommendation will be a Fibaro system.
For Climate Control:
Depending on the type of system you will have. If it’s a multi zone system you might need a data cable from the main compresor back to your hub.
If you are using split systems you can use individual modules.
Our recommendation will be cool master and or Intesis modules.
For Intercom and Access Control:
If you are are looking for a smart lock on the main door or secondary doors you need to make sure they are not fire doors and it will be fine to install them.
If you are have a door strike release you want 3 cat 6 cable run from the central hub to the intercom location. 1 for data 1 control 1 spare (most smart intercoms will work of 1 cable with POE).
You will also need power to the door strike.
Our recommendation will be DoorBird intercoms.
For home automation system details and information, we will be glad to assist all your questions and concerns. Please call us at Canny Electrics on 1300 522 446.