Running through contemplations of what to do... and seeming to high analysis paralysis here... so I'm finally committing to making a post, and keeping up with hopefully a good discussion.
TL;DR - what's a recommended method to prewire the electrical of the house for future options.
What I would like: fully automated everything
it's a hobby to keep finding more integrations.
Where I'm at - an old 1962 home which is going to be gutted on the inside.
Electrical needs to be re-wired, so it will give me an opportunity to put the structure cabling in, as well as consider what I want to do with the electrical system.
As for my level of experience today, mostly z-wave, some ZLL/zigbee, ElkM1 and mostly writing my own code for the integrations (i.e. night time turns of the kids lights and starts their sonos playlist...) so far I've had a high WAF, mostly because the coffee machine turns itself on when she's a mile away from the house, and other conveniences. I'm really hating parts of Z-Wave, and most of it comes to reliability - it's good, but sometimes it barfs a little... and a single switch is not my ideal for of starting a "scene", if it doesn't have a few more choices.
Now for my questions...
For the electrical, I'm debating going down the path of either a RadioRA 2 setup, or potentially focusing on something structured such as Lutron Homeworks, Vantage or the likes. I have easy access to both the basement and the attic, and when re-wiring, all the studs will be open.
1 - do I re-wire the home conventionally, and then add dimmers, etc over time, or do I wire in centralized home runs for all lights, and grow into a panelized system over time?
2 - any thoughts on how to wire for a panelized system, but not have it panelized initially?
3 - really wish there was a DIY friendly panelized system, but I don't seem to be finding any - any thoughts?
4 - if I start down the path of RadioRA 2, could I grow into homeworks?
Some thoughts on what I might do...
A - run ENT conduits to lights and switches with THHN wire. Probably more of a PITA during initial install, but gives me future flexibility - replacing the wire without opening the walls.
B - home run the electrical wires for each light, and have junctions boxes near the break box to join them together prior to the breakers, and allow for panelized wiring down the road (i.e. disconnect the light switch from the light fixture, and run new low voltage through the attic to the basement for replacement switches). Heck - it might allow me to leverage my PLC skills and just build my own panelized system with DIN mounted relays...
C - back to Radio RA2 thoughts, and just install what I need and change over time
Ultimately, I'd like for all rooms to have multiple light options - bright, comfortable, dim - from different light sources. I do not just want to dim the main light, but rather change to mode to different light sources. I don't want to block myself from future options.
I do not mind spending the structured cabling money up front - but just do not have the money commitment to drop on the panelized or controlled setup up front.
TL;DR - what's a recommended method to prewire the electrical of the house for future options.
What I would like: fully automated everything
it's a hobby to keep finding more integrations.Where I'm at - an old 1962 home which is going to be gutted on the inside.
Electrical needs to be re-wired, so it will give me an opportunity to put the structure cabling in, as well as consider what I want to do with the electrical system.
As for my level of experience today, mostly z-wave, some ZLL/zigbee, ElkM1 and mostly writing my own code for the integrations (i.e. night time turns of the kids lights and starts their sonos playlist...) so far I've had a high WAF, mostly because the coffee machine turns itself on when she's a mile away from the house, and other conveniences. I'm really hating parts of Z-Wave, and most of it comes to reliability - it's good, but sometimes it barfs a little... and a single switch is not my ideal for of starting a "scene", if it doesn't have a few more choices.
Now for my questions...
For the electrical, I'm debating going down the path of either a RadioRA 2 setup, or potentially focusing on something structured such as Lutron Homeworks, Vantage or the likes. I have easy access to both the basement and the attic, and when re-wiring, all the studs will be open.
1 - do I re-wire the home conventionally, and then add dimmers, etc over time, or do I wire in centralized home runs for all lights, and grow into a panelized system over time?
2 - any thoughts on how to wire for a panelized system, but not have it panelized initially?
3 - really wish there was a DIY friendly panelized system, but I don't seem to be finding any - any thoughts?
4 - if I start down the path of RadioRA 2, could I grow into homeworks?
Some thoughts on what I might do...
A - run ENT conduits to lights and switches with THHN wire. Probably more of a PITA during initial install, but gives me future flexibility - replacing the wire without opening the walls.
B - home run the electrical wires for each light, and have junctions boxes near the break box to join them together prior to the breakers, and allow for panelized wiring down the road (i.e. disconnect the light switch from the light fixture, and run new low voltage through the attic to the basement for replacement switches). Heck - it might allow me to leverage my PLC skills and just build my own panelized system with DIN mounted relays...
C - back to Radio RA2 thoughts, and just install what I need and change over time
Ultimately, I'd like for all rooms to have multiple light options - bright, comfortable, dim - from different light sources. I do not just want to dim the main light, but rather change to mode to different light sources. I don't want to block myself from future options.
I do not mind spending the structured cabling money up front - but just do not have the money commitment to drop on the panelized or controlled setup up front.
