Last minute ONQ panic....

[dpilati]

Ok not really panic. I am 2 days into the 4 I have for wiring. I wasn't sure that I'd have time for everything so I prioritized. I've gotten the audio and my limited video distribution done. I'm almost done with cable/phone/internet. Then I was going to do security. After that comes ONQ.

After hours in a hot house, I'm officially brain dead and exhausted. Homerun a cat-5 to every switch and run a cat-5 between 3-ways? Don't I sometimes need 2 cat-5's to a location - like a 4 gang? Also I can use a branch point as another home run - probably the 2nd floor. Am I missing anything?

TIA

 

[beelzerob]

It took us nearly 3 weeks to wire our house, so I don't know how you do it in 4 days. Of course, it was mid winter and no power for us....

Ya, you've got the main idea. Yes, run 2 cat5s to a 4 gang box...and you might need them for a 3-gang box too. (I did). Think...if you put 3 aux switches in a single gang box, and they all need 3 wires... If you have 2 powered/control switches in a box, then they'll have 3 aux wires each, for a total of 6 wires, and then they'll share the 2 control wires, so that's 8. So the most you can cover in a single gang box with a single cat5 wire is 2 switches, IF both of those switches will need their aux wires.

So, to be safe, I'd run 2 cat5 for every gang box over 2 in size. (Sadly, I DIDN'T do this and have so far only slightly screwed myself.)

Yes, you can create a branch "node" elsewhere, whever it's convenient, but don't forget you're still limited to 32 ADDRESSED devices on that branch. (in other words, 32 switches that have an address...aux's don't count).

If you ever think you'll put in one of those 4-button aux switches, then you will need 2 cat5's JUST for that. It's like 4 aux switches in one panel, so that's 4 X 3 = 12 wires.

 

[felixrosbergen]

i think Beelze got it pretty much covered.

It you follow the 'homerun' everything to the panel and interconnect there the math is easy. Doing homeruns for eveywhere to the wiring room could be a LOT of wiring and a BIG mess in the wiring room (sometimes also called the chaos end).

For my upstairs I'm creating a hub and then running everything there with a main trunk line going down to the wiring room. This saves 30-40 feet on at least 15- 20 runs...so it does add up...also takes A LOT LESS TIME to put in. Also be very carefull on the OnQ ALC branch length restrictions when doing all homeruns...this contributed to my decision for a hub upstairs. My hub will be 2 2 gang LV rings inside one of the closets so they're out of sight but still accesible. I didn't put the hubs int he attic because of huge temperature swings, humdity, etc.

Also consider if you have unfinished attic or basement and where it's easy to get into the walls later if you need to.

I didn't have the whole issue with the cat5 because for my ground floor i had conduits put in for each light switch location (was not every expensive actually). For the upstairs I have an unfinished attic and all the light swtichtes are on interior walls. It's really easy to go in later and drop a cat5 into the wall cavity and fish it out. And you only have to do the ones you need when you need them. If you have the time now (which it appears you don't) then i is easier to do it all now.

Also consider just asking the builder for a few more days. He may bitch about having subcontractors/sheetrockers lined up and such. Maybe you'll have to pay a little bit..who knows...but to skimp out on the pre-wire which is a once in a lifetime oppertunity because of time constraints set by a guy who you are paying to build you a house seems silly to me.

Beelze is right that for a 3 gang in a bad situation you may indeed need 2 cat5's...better be safe then sorry.

What beelze didnt cover is that if you're planning control via ELK please you need to reconize that scene switches MUST be on Branch 1, which in some cases means that you may need to put the scene switches on a seperate pair on control conductors from the light switches (which may be on branch 2/3/4).

Have fun..

We really need to do a tally on who all is planning/installing/has ALC..maybe we can have a subforum or something? It seems like many get confused on the pre-wire for it...I did too...in the end once you have had a few switches in your hand and have had a look at a hub, controller, etc it becomes trully simple. I encourage everybody to even before the pre-wire just order 1 ro 2 switches, aux and maybe a hub or distro modules to get a feel for what you're getting yourself into. There's nothing like physically having your hands on this stuff.

MAKE SURE YOU GET DEEP GANGBOXES!!!!

Oh...and if you're planning scene switches, they are High Voltage will thus not work in an 'add-on' ring like home depot sells. For my home i planned where i wanted scene switches and had them make these particular switch boxes a gang bigger then they planned. The extra cost for this is trivial and the benefet and time saved is enourmous.

 

[AceCannon]

If there is a concrete deadline and you aren't going to get all the homeruns done -

At least do a 2-conductor daisy chain to all the switches.

(But you can't escape from the 3 other conductors needed for the AUX functionality, of course)

-AC

 

[dpilati]

Thanks all for your help.

I have an unfinished basement and attic so I can get a lot done quickly - just cut wire to length and leave in the basement (mostly) or attic. There are only 6 switch banks upstairs that I foresee automating. And the others are on interior walls. Downstairs there are 8 banks, several of which need 2 cat-5s. But I can cut 30 feet - drill a hole - and drop into basement in few minutes. Today is a full day where the last 3 have been very short days.

Also the deadline is just for firecaulking the holes - I have a few more days before drywall.