Here are some tips and ideas you may wish to consider
when wiring:
- Wiring Closet: Centralize as much as possible in a wiring closet. "Home
run" everything to it.
- Whole-house/office A/V distribution: Use RG6 (not RG59) and run dual cables
from each room outlet to the wiring closet.
- Whole-house/office infrared distribution: You could do this via the TV
coax (ChannelPlus equipment is popular for this), however, you might need
to "zone" the IR output if you have multiple devices that use the same
IR codes (for example, if you have two Sony TV's). This usually requires
running dedicated wires (4 conductors should do) from each outlet to the
wiring closet.
- Security system: Run at least 6 conductors to provide control and status.
If your alarm provides discrete outputs for each zone, you will need at
least one wire per zone plus a common.
- Video cameras: Depending on the camera output (A/V or video only) and signal
type (composite video or modulated channel), you may need RG6 and/or RCA
cables (twisted pair may work for short runs, but you run the risk of picking
up "hum" on the audio). Also run cable for power and ground.
- In-wall speakers: 18 gauge wire (minimum) to each speaker. If you want
a volume control in any room, which is not controlled by your whole house
control system, remember to wire to the control then to the speakers for
that room.
- Microphones: If you plan on whole-house/office voice recognition, run shielded microphone cable to each microphone location.
- Sprinkler system: Figure out how many locations you will be using and run
the appropriate gauge control wire to each.
- Computer: Locate computer network jacks on at least two walls in each room.
Wire back to wiring closet with 100MB CAT5e cable.
- Weather station: Four conductors (preferably CAT5e cable).
- Temperature sensors: 3 conductors to each sensor.
- Run additional wires (preferably CAT5e cable) for such items as: Motion sensors
(4 conductor), A/V equipment on/off sensors (3 conductor), door or window
contacts (2 conductors), Vehicle detector (4 conductor direct burial wire),
Water sensors (two conductor) located near water heater, washing machine,
sinks, basement, etc., Drapery/Blind controller, Video projector lift or
screen (control lines plus wires for limit switches).
