my whole house wiring project

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Just an fyi guys, I have started the drilling today at 6:30pm. I stopped at a little past 8pm because it was getting dark. Anyways, I have drilled the frames in the all of the windows in first floor for window contacts. I have also drilled in the location where the expanders will be mounted. Those are 1" in diameters. Tomorrow, I will continue drilling in the second floor windows. I will also start wiring. I'm excited but got worried too when my friend told me this:

I'm surprise the builder is letting you do it... for liability/insurance reasons.

Should I be?

My wife got worried too when she saw all the wires in my living room today.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Neil

 

[TCassio]

Just curious, why Window senors on the second floor? Are there alot of cat burglars in the area.

 

[Digger]

I hear some parts of the Northeast have squirell burglars..... but they are just plain nuts.

I personally only alrmed my main floor windows but I dont have a lot for people to want to go to an length to steal (unless they want my top of the line M1 but that can take care of itself). I put a second floor motion up and might add one more some day.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Just curious, why Window senors on the second floor?  Are there alot of cat burglars in the area.  

I'm not really just going to use it for burglars. I don't know if what I'm thinking though is possible. Here it is. I always want to open windows so that fresh air can come in. However, there were times that we forgot to close the windows. There was a time that it was so sunny but I never expected that storm will come in the afternoon. We were far from home too. Since we were not aware of the windows being open, my 2 kid's room got wet.

Since we are able to control ELK via RS232 or Ethernet, I can write a custom nagios check code that will verify the status of each window, then sends an alert to me. Or I can either write a perl code that will check a local mailbox such as [email protected] I can either make my own proprietary commands there such as
VERIFY windows all
VERIFY windows first
VERIFY windows second
VEFIFY windows basement

That means, I will send an SMTP message from my cellphone to [email protected] I'm currently doing this now but for a different application. My mail server is also in my basement so I have total control.

There are so many ways we can do it. I can even write a perl code that use XML module. The code will connect to weather.com with my zipcode as an input. It will then receive a message such as "Possible storm by afternoon". I can write my own command that I can send via SMS like
VERIFY weather

The former commands gets sent to ELK system, while the "VERIFY weather" command will get sent to weather.com webserver and is followed with "VERIFY windows all".

But of course, I will have to study the ELK commands for serial/eth control.

My approach is a poor man's solution. I guess, there are already applications out there that does the same thing and even with an awesome interface. Just my 2cents.

 

[TCassio]

Why are you sending an email to your self. If you are away from home, you cannot close the windows. This is what I do. I am running Homeseer. I have a script that runs when I am leaving home that will check the status of all my sensors. If any doors or windows are open, it will announce over my whole house audio system which windows/doors are open.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Why are you sending an email to your self. If you are away from home, you cannot close the windows. This is what I do. I am running Homeseer. I have a script that runs when I am leaving home that will check the status of all my sensors. If any doors or windows are open, it will announce over my whole house audio system which windows/doors are open.

Oh, I'm not sending an email to myself. I'm sending it to [email protected] Even if I'm away, I have a job that parses the mailbox.

You got the point now, not just for burglars. Everyone here has to know that I never experienced nor own any home security in my entire life. I'm coming from programming realm that's why I thought that way. I never thought of your approach because again, I never owned one. However, your idea is cool and I will implement it. I'm just hoping that it's possible with ELK. I'm sure it's possible.
Thanks for the idea!

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

You can set the Elk up so all the zones need to be "secured" before it lets you arm. If any zones are not secure (open in the case of doors and windows) it will let you know via the keypad which zones are "violated".

As far as your holes you are drilling, I hope you aren't drilling one inch diameter ones through the window frames as most sensors require 3/8".

For the wiring, requirements vary, but I'm sure you will at least have a pre-drywall inspection where ALL the wiring gets inspected and must meet codes before drywall goes up. As long as all of your wiring passes this inspection you should be safe with your insurance concerns (in my opinion).

Also, just don't do anything like drill through frame headers or vital support posts. The best guide will be if your electrician didn't drill through that post, you probably shouldn't either without first checking with someone.

Make sure all of your boxes are different from the "high voltage" ones so the inspector can discern the difference during his inspection. (We just spray painted ours orange).

One other point I'm sure you already know, cross the AC lines at 90 degree for your networking cables (Cat 5e).

Good luck and take pics (we love pics here )!

BSR

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

You can set the Elk up so all the zones need to be "secured" before it lets you arm. If any zones are not secure (open in the case of doors and windows) it will let you know via the keypad which zones are "violated".

As far as your holes you are drilling, I hope you aren't drilling one inch diameter ones through the window frames as most sensors require 3/8".

I only used 17" length 3/8" diameter auger bit. It's awesome!

For the wiring, requirements vary, but I'm sure you will at least have a pre-drywall inspection where ALL the wiring gets inspected and must meet codes before drywall goes up. As long as all of your wiring passes this inspection you should be safe with your insurance concerns (in my opinion).

Lucky me, the head told me that I should install my wires after my predrywall meeting. This way, I'm doing the installation past the village inspection.

Also, just don't do anything like drill through frame headers or vital support posts. The best guide will be if your electrician didn't drill through that post, you probably shouldn't either without first checking with someone.

I tried my best not to drill to anywhere. I just followed were they created holes.

Make sure all of your boxes are different from the "high voltage" ones so the inspector can discern the difference during his inspection. (We just spray painted ours orange).

I won't put any box right now. I'll just measure all the locations. This way, I can really place where I like the keypad to be.

One other point I'm sure you already know, cross the AC lines at 90 degree for your networking cables (Cat 5e).

Good luck and take pics (we love pics here )!

BSR

Yep,I'm familiar about EMI.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Today, I started 9am and finished 6pm. I missed lunch and 3pm snack. I only had 2 mineral water bottles.

Anyways, I continued drilling in 2nd floor. I was able to complete all window contact sensor wiring, water sensor wiring, motion sensor wiring, siren wiring to headend, 3 runs of cat5e to headend, 2 18/4 runs to head end, all from the expander location in 2nd floor closet.

My body is so sore. I feel like I'm sick right now.

Tomorrow, I will be working in first floor.

Guys give me some tips. What will I tell the foreman if he ask me what those wires are. He is aware though of the speaker wiring I will be putting. Should I say, those wires will be used to control speaker. Huh, wire beside the window? LOL

Anyways, I will post some few pictures later. My body is really sore.

 

[pkoslow]

Today, I started 9am and finished 6pm. I missed lunch and 3pm snack. I only had 2 mineral water bottles.
...Guys give me some tips.

Eat and drink more tomorrow!!!

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Yes, take care of yourself as you will make mistakes when you get rundown! Take time to eat a 15 minute at least lunch and put your feet up a little!

This also gives you some time to "reflect" as you aren't really thinking that much when hoofing it.

I would tell your foreman that's it just "low voltage security wiring". He should be familiar with that terminology.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Thanks.

As promised, here are some few pics. On the final, I will take my tripod so that picture won't look washed out.

2nd floor closet

 

[TCassio]

Some observations.

I see that they require condiut for your electrical. Here in Conn. we use Romex. You also use copper pipe for your water feeds, in Conn, everything is plastic.

Beware, where ever you drilled holes that go between floors, you need to fill the holes with "Firestop".

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Some observations.

I see that they require condiut for your electrical. Here in Conn. we use Romex. You also use copper pipe for your water feeds, in Conn, everything is plastic.

Beware, where ever you drilled holes that go between floors, you need to fill the holes with "Firestop".

Yep, I spoke to the foreman/head and he told me that he will have the carpenter put firestop in the holes I created. I went to homedepot but didn't find them. They do have the fire caulk though but I think, that wouldn't work. What they used in mine are insulating foam and it's color orange. He said that it's for fire.

Thanks.

 

[upstatemike]

Some observations.

I see that they require condiut for your electrical. Here in Conn. we use Romex. You also use copper pipe for your water feeds, in Conn, everything is plastic.

I know that a lot of places use non-metallic sheathed cable (romex) for general electrical wiring but I didn't know ANY place allowed plastic water feeds. Plastic drains sure but plastic water feeds?!!!