AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
Welcome Warez!
Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice here. I'll just add a few commentrs as well.
As far as hardwired systems, I think 3-5k would get you one display controller with a Crestron or AMX system. I think these systems are the ones that use cat5 to the devices as well. Another lower cost hardwire option is the Lightolier Multiset Pro line. It only needs one control wire to each device. This is though about 20-30% more than a Lightolier Compose system. Another issue with the hardwired systems is that once you install it, don't plan on making changes... Lightolier will be introducing a new hardwire system that will help a little in that department soon.
I'm not an electrician and codes vary, but, I can't think that there is an issue with low voltage and high voltage in the same box as long as it's all for the lighting. The hardwired light switches are designed that way.
As far as wiring your house, you can never run too much wire!
As far as running cat5 near Romex, try not to run it alongside of it (within about 1 1/2 feet at least) and if you do, try to make it less than 6 feet in length that they are running together. Also, as someone else mentioned, when crossing Romex, try to do it at a 90 degree angle whenever possible.
X10 or Zwave will provide the greatest flexibility and bang for the buck. In my office, I have Lightolier Compose installed with a firewall. In addition to the Lightolier devices, I also have other X10 devices going through that same firewall. In my house, I do have some Lightolier devices but everything is installed in a traditional X10 manner.
For a new build construction, I would really consider going straight in with a Lightolier Compose system with the firewalls. They are easy to install then and will really help make the system bulletproof. The firewall blocks unwanted circuits from interfering with your system, applifies all of your signals to 7 volts (most coupler repeaters only go to 4 volts), manage and re-transmit signals that collide, provide a built-in way to search for noise and signal strength issues, and also have a lot of cool lights on them!
For your size house, there is also no reason why you couldn't also make a traditional X10 system very reliable. With coupler/repeaters and filters and a little more trial and error, it can be accomplished.
As far as Zwave (and we do sell a lot of it), it's a really cool technology and will be interesting. As of now, there just aren't enough devices out there to get me personally too excited and I don't like the look and feel quite as much as the better X10 switches.
I am also a huge fans of 2-way communicating devices. Although the Zensys chip that is inside of the Zwave devies is 2-way, the devices are not (due to patent issues with Lutron). I don't think the dust has settled yet on the emerging RF technologies and that's why more manufacturers haven't gotten into it yet. Recently another manufacturer (Smarthome) announced still yet another RF technology due out next year.
Good luck! They are a ton of great people on this board that are willing to help you.
Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice here. I'll just add a few commentrs as well.
As far as hardwired systems, I think 3-5k would get you one display controller with a Crestron or AMX system. I think these systems are the ones that use cat5 to the devices as well. Another lower cost hardwire option is the Lightolier Multiset Pro line. It only needs one control wire to each device. This is though about 20-30% more than a Lightolier Compose system. Another issue with the hardwired systems is that once you install it, don't plan on making changes... Lightolier will be introducing a new hardwire system that will help a little in that department soon.
I'm not an electrician and codes vary, but, I can't think that there is an issue with low voltage and high voltage in the same box as long as it's all for the lighting. The hardwired light switches are designed that way.
As far as wiring your house, you can never run too much wire!
As far as running cat5 near Romex, try not to run it alongside of it (within about 1 1/2 feet at least) and if you do, try to make it less than 6 feet in length that they are running together. Also, as someone else mentioned, when crossing Romex, try to do it at a 90 degree angle whenever possible.
X10 or Zwave will provide the greatest flexibility and bang for the buck. In my office, I have Lightolier Compose installed with a firewall. In addition to the Lightolier devices, I also have other X10 devices going through that same firewall. In my house, I do have some Lightolier devices but everything is installed in a traditional X10 manner.
For a new build construction, I would really consider going straight in with a Lightolier Compose system with the firewalls. They are easy to install then and will really help make the system bulletproof. The firewall blocks unwanted circuits from interfering with your system, applifies all of your signals to 7 volts (most coupler repeaters only go to 4 volts), manage and re-transmit signals that collide, provide a built-in way to search for noise and signal strength issues, and also have a lot of cool lights on them!
For your size house, there is also no reason why you couldn't also make a traditional X10 system very reliable. With coupler/repeaters and filters and a little more trial and error, it can be accomplished.
As far as Zwave (and we do sell a lot of it), it's a really cool technology and will be interesting. As of now, there just aren't enough devices out there to get me personally too excited and I don't like the look and feel quite as much as the better X10 switches.
I am also a huge fans of 2-way communicating devices. Although the Zensys chip that is inside of the Zwave devies is 2-way, the devices are not (due to patent issues with Lutron). I don't think the dust has settled yet on the emerging RF technologies and that's why more manufacturers haven't gotten into it yet. Recently another manufacturer (Smarthome) announced still yet another RF technology due out next year.
Good luck! They are a ton of great people on this board that are willing to help you.