Home Automation Wiring

Home Automation Wiring

When considering automating your home, running wire is the preferred way to ensure you have a more reliable, robust and dependable system. You can also accomplish many of the same tasks wirelessly, but if you have the option, I would recommend running as much wire as possible. Another suggestion is to install “pipe-chases” to accommodate future wiring.

Home Automation Wiring has several purposes in the home:

1)      Carrying Audio signals to indoor and outdoor Speakers

2)      Carrying Video signals to TVs and Touchscreens

3)      Carrying Control signals to Equipment

4)      Sending Status signals from Equipment

5)      Sending commands to Light Switches

6)      Sending Commands and Powering Shading Systems

7)      Sending commands to Thermostats

8)      Carrying signals for your Home Network

9)      Controlling and Monitoring Security System Sensors

10)   Carrying signals and Controlling Security Cameras

11)   Controlling the Whole Home Vacuum System

12)   Coax Wire for incoming Cable or Satellite Signals

13)   Future-Proofing for Technology not even thought of yet!

14)   Also Run Pipe Chases from the attic to the basement for future wiring needs

Wiring a home for Automation is a complex and delicate process. It must be well thought out and carefully implemented. Failure to do so will lead to a system plagued with problems which will make troubleshooting next to impossible.

It is also important to run the correct wire to ensure optimal performance of the system. There are several different wire types that recommended minimums to ensure the subsystems perform adequately. The list below is the minimum recommendation for the various systems:

System	Wire	Picture	Comments
Security	22 – 2		This wire is used for basic sensors that don’t require power. Examples are door and window sensors
Security	22 – 4		This wire is used for sensors that require power. Examples are Smoke Detectors and Motion Detectors.
Security	18 – 2		This wire is used for powering security panels or powering devices such as sirens
Audio Signals	16-4		This wire is run from amplifiers to speakers. For higher quality, or for longer runs, 14-4 may be run.
Video Signals	Mini-RGB		This wire can be run to carry ANALOG High-Definition signals.
Video Signals	Cat-6 (multiple)		Cat 6 wire is recommended for carrying DIGITAL Hi-Definition signals. It is recommended to run 2 or 3 to locations. And a converter is needed to convert the signals for transporting over the Cat6 cable.
Video Signals	Coax		Coax cable to all TV locations is good as a backup in case the system goes down. This allows the user to watch basic cable at a minimum.
Control Signals	Cat5/6		Cat5 or Cat6 cable are perfect for transporting control signals within the system.
Lighting Systems	Proprietary		Depending on the lighting system used, wiring requirements may change. It is best to check with the manufacturer before wiring for lighting.
Shading Systems	Proprietary		Shading wiring is a proprietary wire. Check with the manufacturer of the Shading system for wiring requirements.
Whole Home Vacuum Control	22 – 2		Simple 22 – 2 wiring is used to send signal to main unit to turn on.
Home Network Systems	Cat5e or Cat6		Cat 5 or Cat6 wiring is recommended for Home Networks
Thermostat Wiring	Cat5 or Cat6		Depending on the system, Cat5 or Cat6 wiring may be required
Thermostat Wiring	22 – 4		Depending on the system, 22 – 4 wiring may be required