With perhaps some naivete I volunteered to design and help install an automation system in the house my in-laws are about to begin constructing. I have some experience with an OmniPro II system, but this will be my first installation, and it's shaping up to be a beast (2-story ~4,000 sq ft house plus 500 sq ft garage aparment). I've been pouring over the forums here for a few weeks now, reading through every wiring thread I can find (and the 101 guides) to pick up ideas, best practices, etc.
I'm at the point now of getting wiring length estimates and formalizing the design scheme, so I wanted to post some of what I've got here for feedback and perhaps some ideas on what people are doing with blank slate installations these days. I also have some questions I'd be curious to get opinions on as well:
As for the system design, these are the basic specs:
Controller: HAI/Leviton OmniPro II
Whole House Audio: Russound (CAA66 or similar); 6-8 zones to start
Room Speakers: Monoprice 4104
Video Distribution: TBD (HDBaseT matrix?)
Lights: Simply Automated UPB
Temperature Sensors: Leviton
Thermostat: TBD (needs to be controllable by OmniPro, but the OmniStats are ugly)
Blinds: Somfy ST30 DCT
Occupancy/Motion: Sensor Switch CM9/10 (normal, a few PDT)
Occupancy: Pulsor ENHP (2nd floor only)
Smoke/CO: System Sensor 4WT-B, COSMO-4W
Window/Door Contacts: Tane (STB, Pill)
Glass Break Sensors: Sentrol
Cameras: TBD (if analog, Monoprice 10900 or 10901)
DVR: No clue, needs to allow 3rd party access for camera feeds
Wifi AP: Ubiquiti Unifi UAP-Pro
Touchscreens: iPad mini
Software/Interface: Haiku/HaikuHelper
Enclosure(s): Leviton
Basic Wiring Configurations:
Phone/Ethernet: CAT5e x2 per outlet
TV: RG6QS x2 per outlet
AV Extension: CAT5e x2-4 per outlet
Speakers: 14/4 x1 per speaker, home run
Touchscreens: CAT5e x2, 18/2 Zip x1
Omni Keypads: CAT5e x1, 18/4 FW x1
Window/Door Contacts: 22/4 x1 per window/door
Glass Break: 22/4 x1 per window (1st floor only)
Occupancy: 22/4 x1
Temperature: CAT5e x1
Smoke: 18/4 FW x1
Blinds: CAT5e x1, 18/2 Zip x1 per window
Cameras: RG6QS x1, 18/2 Zip x1, CAT5e x1 per camera
Other Sensors: 22/4, CAT5e as needed
Futureproofing: Extra CAT5e & 22/4 runs, smurf tubes in various locations
In the interests of space, I won't break it down by room, suffice it to say I've finished rough estimates for 2/3 of the first floor and I'm at close to 9,000 feet of total wiring already. I am very interested in opinions on CAT5e vs. CAT6 in particular, since that is the bulk of the runs and would be the most significant cost differential for the cabling.
-alex
I'm at the point now of getting wiring length estimates and formalizing the design scheme, so I wanted to post some of what I've got here for feedback and perhaps some ideas on what people are doing with blank slate installations these days. I also have some questions I'd be curious to get opinions on as well:
- Is it still necessary these days to run several RG6QS cables to each TV outlet? The 102 guide suggests 4 RG6QS + 3 CAT5e, but I'm curious as to whether or not this is being phased out in favor of mostly CAT5e/6 runs.
- Along those lines, has anyone been using HDBaseT over CAT5e (CM/CMR, UTP) and has it been working well?
- Analog or IP cameras?
- Is it worth it to run mic wire to every room?
- Has anyone seen issues with 12/24V power distribution over 50+ feet runs?
As for the system design, these are the basic specs:
Controller: HAI/Leviton OmniPro II
Whole House Audio: Russound (CAA66 or similar); 6-8 zones to start
Room Speakers: Monoprice 4104
Video Distribution: TBD (HDBaseT matrix?)
Lights: Simply Automated UPB
Temperature Sensors: Leviton
Thermostat: TBD (needs to be controllable by OmniPro, but the OmniStats are ugly)
Blinds: Somfy ST30 DCT
Occupancy/Motion: Sensor Switch CM9/10 (normal, a few PDT)
Occupancy: Pulsor ENHP (2nd floor only)
Smoke/CO: System Sensor 4WT-B, COSMO-4W
Window/Door Contacts: Tane (STB, Pill)
Glass Break Sensors: Sentrol
Cameras: TBD (if analog, Monoprice 10900 or 10901)
DVR: No clue, needs to allow 3rd party access for camera feeds
Wifi AP: Ubiquiti Unifi UAP-Pro
Touchscreens: iPad mini
Software/Interface: Haiku/HaikuHelper
Enclosure(s): Leviton
Basic Wiring Configurations:
Phone/Ethernet: CAT5e x2 per outlet
TV: RG6QS x2 per outlet
AV Extension: CAT5e x2-4 per outlet
Speakers: 14/4 x1 per speaker, home run
Touchscreens: CAT5e x2, 18/2 Zip x1
Omni Keypads: CAT5e x1, 18/4 FW x1
Window/Door Contacts: 22/4 x1 per window/door
Glass Break: 22/4 x1 per window (1st floor only)
Occupancy: 22/4 x1
Temperature: CAT5e x1
Smoke: 18/4 FW x1
Blinds: CAT5e x1, 18/2 Zip x1 per window
Cameras: RG6QS x1, 18/2 Zip x1, CAT5e x1 per camera
Other Sensors: 22/4, CAT5e as needed
Futureproofing: Extra CAT5e & 22/4 runs, smurf tubes in various locations
In the interests of space, I won't break it down by room, suffice it to say I've finished rough estimates for 2/3 of the first floor and I'm at close to 9,000 feet of total wiring already. I am very interested in opinions on CAT5e vs. CAT6 in particular, since that is the bulk of the runs and would be the most significant cost differential for the cabling.
-alex