Our builder has been out of town and should be back this week.
We haven't broken ground yet. I expect excavation will begin any time now and we'll be rolling quick.
Right now I'm thinking things through and planning. I love to learn and plan before lifting a finger. Tools, best practices, cable types and quality. This site is a treasure trove of knowledge.
I think the smartest thing is to plan to pull wire everywhere and later figure out how and what to connect them to. eg: Wires for data, TV, shades, thermostats and LED LV wiring, speaker cables.
For now, I think the easiest thing is to assume standard switches and such and later convert to automation. My experience has been that living in a house teaches you where you want things easier and automated. Not every light switch needs to be automated.
What I don't understand is how occupancy detectors work with HA. Are they simply HV switches or are they LV switches that can trigger an HA panel to do something.
The more I think about it, using detectors to turn on LED lighting probably makes no sense. Currently, my LED undercabinet lighting is on 24/7 and uses hardly any power. Why not leave it on all the time in the new house. That EL wire would be ideal in the bathroom. Dim enough so it's not overpowering yet functions as a night light to guide a pathway. I'm really thinking that's the way to go there.
For now, I simply want all my options open.
Reading and re-reading the New House Cabling 101 document, lots of CAT5/6 and coax makes sense. PVC chases for future proofing. Lots of good stuff in there. Not only HA but electrical in general.
I've pulled miles of data cable in the IT industry so I'm not afraid to pull a cable or two.
The builder is very low key and easy to work with. It's a total custom build and he will let me in there to pull LV wire anywhere I want. I expect to spend a lot of time on the job site getting in his way. Once we get to the electrical, we'll have to talk more. He may have some experience and ideas.
My thought for LV wiring is to have the electrician run a circuit and outlet to where I want to install a 12v transformer, such as in the tray ceiling and inside/under cabinets.
From the transformer, run the LV wiring to the task location. I'm still thinking it out and sorting through years of forum posts. I'm a total gadget geek and fortunately the wife likes gadgets also, so the WAF is high.
--Russ
