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Home Theater - Structured Wiring/Networks - Security
Audio/Video - Telecomm - Automation/Lighting Control |
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by Bob Hetherington
As you can see in this issue of the HTINews, home system cabling has become a very popular topic. The trend in the industry is clear ... don't buy or build a new home without the proper cabling installed. I don't think it's any longer a question of "Is cabling necessary?" as it was only a few short months ago. Now the question is "What is the minimum cabling requirement?" The Home Network is a reality and encompasses communication, computer networking, entertainment, automation, security, energy usage and a bunch of other stuff I forget or hasn't yet been invented.
In this article I'd like to summarize some of the points made by the cabling manufacturers interviewed in this issue and of course make a few points of my own. You can read the full interviews by clicking the links at the top of this page or the index on the left. Many thanks to the company representatives who spent the time to participate in these interviews.
Lets start with Question 1 (logical place to start don't you think?). "What do you recommend as a standard cabling package for a modern home? Please list the components of the system and their uses. (i.e. Distribution Panel, Number of cables and types, outlets etc.)"
The consensus here seems to be two runs each of RG6 coax cable and Cat-5 twisted pair cable, homerun to a centrally located cross-connect panel. Minimum of one 4-6 port wall plate per living area with more in multipurpose rooms. Other considerations include Fiber Optic cabling, speaker wire, security wire and multi-conductor wire for Automation and audio keypads/controllers and/or flex conduit (as code allows) for future pulls, including fiber.
It's pretty clear to me that there is lots of room for trouble in designing a cabling installation and careful thought must be given to the layout and equipment selection. This will be a major headache to some and an exciting challenge to others. When I built my first house it took several exhausting sessions with the plumber to decide on toilet features and colors, and I didn't even have to worry about the locations as the bathroom seemed to be the logical choice. The bottom line here is that some experience and expertise is required for cabling layout. Consultation with system integrators or consultants is a must for the average owner , developer or builder. My experience in construction has taught me one important lesson which I pass on freely to all (whether they like it or not). Spend some time and a few extra bucks on the design process ... alteration by eraser is a whole lot cheaper than by sledge hammer!
OK Question 2 says "What systems would connect and interact via the cabling now and in the future?"
In a nutshell, the answer here is ... anything and everything you can think of and a bunch of stuff that hasn't been invented yet. The basic systems include Audio/Video, voice & data, automation, HVAC and security.
But wait a minute ... what about the average guy who really doesn't know or care to know about voice and data, automation etc. and just wants to watch Monday night football while his better half is in the next room checking out the "Good Things" that Martha Stewart has to offer.
Oh Oh ... look at that ... the WebTV announcer says I can get a collectors set of rhinestone Dallas Cowboy mugs for half price by clicking a button on the screen in the next 2 minutes ... awesome dude lets do it. But wait, the phone's ringing and the TV says it's my Mother in law ... quick transfer the call to the other room while I order those mugs.
Guess what pal ... you just used all that fancy wiring in the wall and didn't even know it. Sound like science fiction ... it was a few years ago ... what about tomorrow?
Now down to the nitty gritty ... $$$$$$$$. Question 3 says "Do you have rule of thumb installed costs for this standard (i.e. $/sq ft. or $/room etc.)? How much more does it cost for retrofit?"
As expected we're all over the ballpark here from a low of $500 to a high of $5000 depending on the complexity and customization of the system. Many did not respond with a number at all. I suppose it's not really a fair question but it's one that requires a response and will, I predict, be resolved in the future. I think it would be better to say (as Lucent did) that for a "standard" 3 bedroom 2500 sq. ft. home in Dallas with x number of 4 port outlets (2 CAT5 and 2 RG6) the cost would be approximately $xx.xx for cable rough in, $yy.yy for panel installation and $zz.zz for wall plate installation. That gives the buyer an idea of the magnitude of the costs and let's him know that it will be extra for other neat stuff. For example, if I phone a built in vacuum system installer and ask the same question, he'll give me a direct answer but ask that I let him quote exact prices from a set of house plans.
Now what about the retrofit market? We can safely assume that the cost of materials will remain the same but the cost of labor is highly variable and will make up most of the final cost. I would imagine that most of the interest in this area will come from detached home owners rather than builders, developers etc. I can't see it being worthwhile for a condominium association or apartment building owner to install cabling (but I may be wrong). Even at that, I think most electricians would tell us that electrical renovations occur only when other physical changes occur to the dwelling (i.e. move a wall, add a room etc.). How many homeowners have the desire, the dollars and the fortitude to instigate a cabling project? At present I don't think there are many. Mega dollars are being spent developing wireless and powerline networking equipment to answer this need and in the next year or so we should begin to see more products for the retrofit market. Have a look at Powerline Communications by Eitan Einwohner of ITRAN Communications and Powerline Modem by Christer Johansson of HTH in this issue for some insight into this topic. Another interesting philosophy and retrofit product line comes from Herb Hauser of Barnes Wentworth Inc. in The Fourth Utility.
Question 4: "How futureproof is an installation as described here? What could be added to the system (in order of priority) to extend it's life and scope?"
My favorite answer to this one came from RCS ... "The installation is futureproof in the sense that it is an information infrastructure. Like all home infrastructures (plumbing, electrical, etc.) future needs may necessitate additions to this infrastructure, but this infrastructure provides sufficient bandwidth for all foreseeable home electronics." I think this says it all. Some recommended installation of fiber optic cable and others say install conduit for futureproofing but we can all agree that this adds extra cost to the installation and may or may not be useful in the future.
I think it's most important that some standards be established so that new homes contain at least the minimum cabling (which looks to be 2 each of CAT5 and RG6 to each room). With that infrastructure in place it seems to me that future product development would concentrate on using that existing media rather going beyond what is practical. After all, I can buy the fanciest toilet available today and not have to install special piping to use it. Also, look what the techies have done with existing infrastructure as it is. They said that a phone line couldn't support a modem faster that 300 baud and I sure never dreamt that my house wiring could be used as a computer network. Imagine what can be done with quality coax and twisted pair cabling in the future.
That said, the legacy of the PC world scares the crzzzp out of me. Upgrade upgrade upgrade ... $$$$ every year. Fortunately or unfortunately I believe that scenario applies to devices on our home network and not the network itself. I sure hope I'm right or the next generation of houses will need to be build with dropped T-bar ceilings to allow for future changes. Now that would be downright ugly.
So, who is going to install all of this fancy infrastructure. Question 5 asks: "Can I just get the electrician to install your cabling and components? If not why not and who do I call?"
All of the manufacturers interviewed indicate that training is required to install modern cabling systems. Ya cain't just crank on the end o da wire and nail it to da studs pal. Be careful with this one folks. As soon as there is a sign of money to be made from unsuspecting homeowners, there will be a host of "Qualified" bozos knocking on your door wanting to install one of them there home network dew hickies at half the price of them fancy city slickers. My advice …Find a qualified installer who has has the requisite background and experience to do it right. There are many intricacies in the proper routing, installation, termination and test for today's cable. Each home run of cable must be tested and in my opinion you should be given a signed check sheet listing each run and the test results. After all, you may not be installing devices for months or even years to come and you need to know that the wiring is right. Many of the manufacturers interviewed have dealer listings on their websites.
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