This is my first attempt at home automation. I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet and at least one book on home automation and security and decided to give it a try. This is my journey through a new hobby and experiment in home automation.
First off we are building a new home that is about 3300 square feet with a full unfinished basement. I started with just putting together a “home security” and whole house audio system together but the more I read the more limited I realized I was. I started to read smart homes for dummies and realized I needed more. So I scoured the internet for more information. I found Cocoontech and read several post and the wiring 101 guild and found all of them very useful. I found that examples of others system seem to help the most. So I felt obligated to start this post. I also need advice as I go so feel free to help me build my system.
Here is my overall plan:
Security:
I will use the Elk M1 gold system and include the following parts:
ELK M1 Gold ELK-m1gsys4s - Main panel
Insteon powerlinc V2
Elk m1xsp serial port expander
Shure SCM810 audio mixer
Magnetic Contacs
Rollerball contacts
Insteon Switches
1000' 22/4 Security Cable
1000' 2 pair 22 west penn Security Wire
2 Wire smoke/heat detector
22/4 half shielded wire
Bosch Smoke detector lot
Elk-m1dbh
elk-m1xin
2 carbon monoxide ge esl-coe
290' 18/4 fire alarm cable
Ocelot Controller
500' 16/4 fire alarm cable
Carbon Monoxide GE ESL 240-CO
ELO ET1545L 15" Touchscreen for keypad
Visonic K985 Pet-Smart Digital PIR Detector
IntelliSense CK-FG1625RFM - Round Flush Mount Glassbreak Detector
Elk ELK-WK1 - Wall Mount Kit for ELK-SL1 Strobe Light
ELK ELK-SL1R - Strobe Light Indoor/Outdoor - Red (SL1-R)
Ademco 112 - Tamper Switch for Closed Circuit
Elk ELK-M1XIN - M1 16 Zone Input Expander
Visonic DISC Miniature 360o Ceiling Mount PIR Detector
Elk ELK-930 - Doorbell & Telephone Ring Detector
GE Interlogix MP-MPI47B High Performance Piezo Screamer
Elk ELK-M1ZTSR - M1 Zone Temperature Interface with 7 Foot Remote Probe
crown PZm-11
Elk M1DBH Data bus hub
Insteon Dimmer Switches and phase coupler
Hal 2000
Whole House Audio:
Nuco Grand Concerto and Tuner EBAY $2,755.88
500 ft. 14/4 Speaker Wire Paypal $189.00
1000' Cat 5e red cable Paypal $45.23
3-way in ceiling MA audio
Ethernet:
I was able to get 1500’ of cat 6a cable to use for ethernet and video distibution. I plan on using putting cat 6a to all tv jack areas and at possible computer locations. I also will put in a wireless N system. I have yet to buy anything but the cable. I just need to get it in before the drywall.
Video distribution:
All I have planned is running 2 quad shield coax rg6 to each tv jack. One for input one for output. I also am running an extra Cat 6a to each jack for future use. I thought this could be video, but who knows. In the future I will put video modulators for a centralized unit. This is mostly pre wireing/planning.
Video surveillance:
I plan on pre-wiring for cameras using a cat 5e cable, 18/4 and coax. This should cover future needs
IR distribution:
This subject is a bit confusing to me. Ideally I would like to control any remote controllable item from anywhere in the house. But It looks I can only send IR signals back to one place. I am still trying to find more info on this. But so far what I have planned is to put a cat 5e cable to each tv jack for IR distribution. This would give me 4 pairs of wires to run IR distribution on. I am going to use the ocelot for IR commands and the secu-16ir and the xantech 79520 for distribution. Right now I am putting the Cat 5e cable in the wall and will figure out the rest later. This is a budget issue!!!
Telephone Network
If I have enough cat 6a cable, I will use this. Otherwise Cat 5e cable will work. I thought That I could use this as an extra data cable if need but it depends how this is set up. I am leaving the phone network up to the contractors with some guidance from me. I am thinking of using a 110 punch down block for this but not sure. I need to talk to the electrical guys first.
Home Automation:
I decided to go with HAL2000 and use a insteon type of power network. I will also try to set up an open air microphone system to control Hal. Boy I hope this works!! Also my wife doesn't know I am putting together a automated home. She thinks I am putting together a "home security" so some of the HA blends with the security. Boy I hope she doesn't bit my head off when she finds out really whats going on. I have read about the dreaded "wife acceptablilty factor" and know mine is low.... but if i can prewire, i can add everything else slowly!
Ok cocooners, Let me know any advice you have before the drywall goes up. This is in 1 month!
First off we are building a new home that is about 3300 square feet with a full unfinished basement. I started with just putting together a “home security” and whole house audio system together but the more I read the more limited I realized I was. I started to read smart homes for dummies and realized I needed more. So I scoured the internet for more information. I found Cocoontech and read several post and the wiring 101 guild and found all of them very useful. I found that examples of others system seem to help the most. So I felt obligated to start this post. I also need advice as I go so feel free to help me build my system.
Here is my overall plan:
Security:
I will use the Elk M1 gold system and include the following parts:
ELK M1 Gold ELK-m1gsys4s - Main panel
Insteon powerlinc V2
Elk m1xsp serial port expander
Shure SCM810 audio mixer
Magnetic Contacs
Rollerball contacts
Insteon Switches
1000' 22/4 Security Cable
1000' 2 pair 22 west penn Security Wire
2 Wire smoke/heat detector
22/4 half shielded wire
Bosch Smoke detector lot
Elk-m1dbh
elk-m1xin
2 carbon monoxide ge esl-coe
290' 18/4 fire alarm cable
Ocelot Controller
500' 16/4 fire alarm cable
Carbon Monoxide GE ESL 240-CO
ELO ET1545L 15" Touchscreen for keypad
Visonic K985 Pet-Smart Digital PIR Detector
IntelliSense CK-FG1625RFM - Round Flush Mount Glassbreak Detector
Elk ELK-WK1 - Wall Mount Kit for ELK-SL1 Strobe Light
ELK ELK-SL1R - Strobe Light Indoor/Outdoor - Red (SL1-R)
Ademco 112 - Tamper Switch for Closed Circuit
Elk ELK-M1XIN - M1 16 Zone Input Expander
Visonic DISC Miniature 360o Ceiling Mount PIR Detector
Elk ELK-930 - Doorbell & Telephone Ring Detector
GE Interlogix MP-MPI47B High Performance Piezo Screamer
Elk ELK-M1ZTSR - M1 Zone Temperature Interface with 7 Foot Remote Probe
crown PZm-11
Elk M1DBH Data bus hub
Insteon Dimmer Switches and phase coupler
Hal 2000
Whole House Audio:
Nuco Grand Concerto and Tuner EBAY $2,755.88
500 ft. 14/4 Speaker Wire Paypal $189.00
1000' Cat 5e red cable Paypal $45.23
3-way in ceiling MA audio
Ethernet:
I was able to get 1500’ of cat 6a cable to use for ethernet and video distibution. I plan on using putting cat 6a to all tv jack areas and at possible computer locations. I also will put in a wireless N system. I have yet to buy anything but the cable. I just need to get it in before the drywall.
Video distribution:
All I have planned is running 2 quad shield coax rg6 to each tv jack. One for input one for output. I also am running an extra Cat 6a to each jack for future use. I thought this could be video, but who knows. In the future I will put video modulators for a centralized unit. This is mostly pre wireing/planning.
Video surveillance:
I plan on pre-wiring for cameras using a cat 5e cable, 18/4 and coax. This should cover future needs
IR distribution:
This subject is a bit confusing to me. Ideally I would like to control any remote controllable item from anywhere in the house. But It looks I can only send IR signals back to one place. I am still trying to find more info on this. But so far what I have planned is to put a cat 5e cable to each tv jack for IR distribution. This would give me 4 pairs of wires to run IR distribution on. I am going to use the ocelot for IR commands and the secu-16ir and the xantech 79520 for distribution. Right now I am putting the Cat 5e cable in the wall and will figure out the rest later. This is a budget issue!!!
Telephone Network
If I have enough cat 6a cable, I will use this. Otherwise Cat 5e cable will work. I thought That I could use this as an extra data cable if need but it depends how this is set up. I am leaving the phone network up to the contractors with some guidance from me. I am thinking of using a 110 punch down block for this but not sure. I need to talk to the electrical guys first.
Home Automation:
I decided to go with HAL2000 and use a insteon type of power network. I will also try to set up an open air microphone system to control Hal. Boy I hope this works!! Also my wife doesn't know I am putting together a automated home. She thinks I am putting together a "home security" so some of the HA blends with the security. Boy I hope she doesn't bit my head off when she finds out really whats going on. I have read about the dreaded "wife acceptablilty factor" and know mine is low.... but if i can prewire, i can add everything else slowly!
Ok cocooners, Let me know any advice you have before the drywall goes up. This is in 1 month!