I’m working on the plans for a new house I hope to start building in the next 2-3 months, and am trying to account for all the automation, security, a/v, etc type wiring I ‘may’ eventually need. This will be a 3 level home (including basement) and I plan to have most of the wiring homerun to a central location in the basement.
I’m leaning strongly towards going with the Vera platform for control/automation, I have a number of z-wave switches already in my current home, and an ecobee thermostat which I see there is a plugin to control through Vera.
Enough babbling - On to my actual question:
I’d like to be prepared for motorized blind/drape control, I suspect the most I would do would be tilt-only for some blinds, and maybe a couple motorized drapes. What wiring should I run to support this? Would 16/4 station wire be enough to handle any control and/or power requirements or do I need something smaller/larger and or additional runs? I assume leaving this in the wall just above or next to the window would be my best bet but not sure.
I don’t plan to do this right away but would like to be prepared for it should I decide to down the road. Ultimately I’d probably look for a zwave controlled solution - though that’s neither here nor there.
TL:DR - what wiring should I run to each window and where should I leave it in the wall (above/next to window/other?) to support future motorized blind/drape control.
Have the electrician install a Junction box with 120V power at one of the top corners of each window where you intend to have a motorized system. Then whatever system you end up picking you can hardwire, put an outlet, plug in a transformer…
for Z-Wave shades and drapery systems, info@z-wavemotors.com
I would run CAT-6 to where ever you might want a security camera. Cat 6 allows you to power the cameras over Ethernet.
A few Cameras can eat up a lot of wireless bandwidth if you are continuously recording from them.
Covering all of the access ways into the house. Some would cover both exterior and interior views.
Also I would run a 18-4 wire to each room (including closets!) for motion sensors. The wired ones are so much better than the battery ones.
These are all connected to an Alarm system that is coupled to Vera.
Place them in the upper corners that will detect you entering the room, but hopefully not detect you passing the room from outside.
I hardly ever touch a light switch … lights follow me as I move through the house.
Wireless alarm sensors for doors and windows are fine.
I would run double CAT5/Power to every room that might want to have a TV. Cover it with a picture if you do not have a TV yet.
Then you will be able to have a wall mounted TV with NO visible wires. Over a Single CAT-5 you can get a device to provide
HTDV video, 100MB Ethernnet, RS-232, and bidirectional IR ports.
The second provides access for your Game controller …
Are most blind / drape control (including tilt only) 120v? If that’s the case then that’s easy, I figured it was low voltage so I would need some form of LV wiring + control.
Most of the other wiring including cameras, security, network, av, etc I have a solid understanding of and a plan mostly complete it’s just the drape control that is 100% new to me and never really crossed my mind, but would be a nice thing to be prepared for down the road.
As others have suggested, I would run at least four cat 6 wires in each room. I have been doing this all day today. As I am redoing my network in my house. I just pulled cat 6 through out my second floor and will be doing the bottom floor soon. I still have much work to do, but I suggest that if you can do it while the house is being built, than spend the money and have it done. Time to relax for a bit and open a cold beer.
Sorry for the late reply, but you have had good suggestions so far.
For motorized window coverings you can’t go wrong with a 110VAC power (14-2 romex) and a CAT5e (or CAT6) at every window where you would want motorized treatments. Stubbing out the wire where the window covering will cover it, or into the window jam, or into a junction box above or adjacent to the window. Romex is just pre-bundled conductors for AC power inresdential wiring in the U.S., 14-2 being 14 gauge 2 conductor (balck and white) + 1 bare ground wire.
Everything would homerun back to a central location or several sub-locations. Back at the central location where the wiring lands, you can choose to terminate the wires either to AC or DC power. The Romex can be used to power either AC or DC motors and the CAT5 will provide for a reliable wired communication link between motors.
This method will allow any motorized window covering option in the future and should add value to your home, but it should be reserved for new construction. If you plan what types of motors to plan on using ahead of time, you can tailor your wiring to suit that system and possibly save a bit now, but possible face issues later if you want to switch motor systems and the wiring is incompatible.
Putting multiple Cat6 runs in every room (which is a must) will also lead to needing a place to run them all to. I hope you have a communications room planned
I actually ran an AC duct and a ceiling fan into my equipment room.
An quad power pugs every 3 ft at 10" and 40" height.
The ceiling fan runs all the time sucking the hot air out of the room.
I’m looking to do the same exact thing in my new construction place and I need to provide the additional wiring details I want them to do.
I think I’ll do the 120VAC wiring with a CAT6 into a junction box next to the windows. But does the JB need to be big enough to add a couple of relays inside when I do decide to add window motors (whatever kind they may be)? I was thinking maybe a 2 gang size JB would be big enough?
Also isn’t it bad practice to have Ethernet and power next to each other?
[quote=“skylinec83, post:9, topic:180667”]I’m looking to do the same exact thing in my new construction place and I need to provide the additional wiring details I want them to do.
I think I’ll do the 120VAC wiring with a CAT6 into a junction box next to the windows. But does the JB need to be big enough to add a couple of relays inside when I do decide to add window motors (whatever kind they may be)? I was thinking maybe a 2 gang size JB would be big enough?
Also isn’t it bad practice to have Ethernet and power next to each other?[/quote]
I know in Canada, and I’m thinking the US too (judging by a few YouTube videos I have seen, not actual data), that low voltage/data connections are to be in a separate box than line voltage connections. In fact, here in the Great White North, low voltage equipment does not even require an electrical box, only a wall plate.
In the US they can share the same box as long as there is a divider between the low voltage and high voltage.
I have often use a double box with power on one side and multiple LAN connectors on the other.
Best Home Automation shopping experience. Shop at Ezlo!
