Smurf Tube size

[mustangcoupe]

how did you decide exactly where to put the conduit during the construction phase? or did you have multiple locations per wall?

 

[felixrosbergen]

"how did you decide exactly where to put the conduit during the construction phase? or did you have multiple locations per wall? "

For the important rooms (Master bedroom, office, family room, etc) i just looked at the room layout and figured where pieces of furniture are likely to go. If there's a short wall somewhere there's no way there's going to be desk so no need for a conduit/LV bracked (I started calling them "Media Outlets"). The lower floor has relatively more conduits since it's harder to get to later.

For the upper floor i put 3 in the master bedroom, 2 in the office. For the other bedrooms i put 1 in each room. I know this is not a lot, but i put the one in the outside wall. The interal walls are much easier to get into from the attic so i can always add outlet locations where i want when i want. Considering i had to pay electricians to put these outlets in i tried to keep the quantity down where i could. If i were able to do it myself before sheetrock i woudl have at least put 2 in each room.

 

[Photon]

Photon: What is this "box" you ran the conduit into that acts as a vapour barrier? Any chance you could provide a link? Given what you're describing, maybe I am worrying about the this too much. Have you been through a winter since the build/install? How did the box and tubing work out in keeping out the cold?

The electrician used ordinary plastic electrical boxes, just like the ones that mount sockets or switches. We've been through two winters, and I feel no difference between these low voltage outlets compared to the line voltage outlets mounted nearby. The electricians caulked all openings where the smuf tube entered the boxes I designated for low voltage, and he caulked the openings where Romex entered the line voltage boxes. No drafts.

 

[felixrosbergen]

Photon: What is this "box" you ran the conduit into that acts as a vapour barrier? Any chance you could provide a link? Given what you're describing, maybe I am worrying about the this too much. Have you been through a winter since the build/install? How did the box and tubing work out in keeping out the cold?

The electrician used ordinary plastic electrical boxes, just like the ones that mount sockets or switches. We've been through two winters, and I feel no difference between these low voltage outlets compared to the line voltage outlets mounted nearby. The electricians caulked all openings where the smuf tube entered the boxes I designated for low voltage, and he caulked the openings where Romex entered the line voltage boxes. No drafts.

wow...seems like taking it to the extreme...maybe that common place out there where it's so cold. I would expect that in most places the electrical boxes don't get caulked..at leat in in connecticut.

My LV box are open backed mud rights. Since the insulation has some flexibility it should be easier for me to get the coax connectors in ....

 

[Photon]

Our previous abode was built over 20 years ago, and the boxes were not sealed at all. During a good storm I could easily feel the breeze pouring in around the outlets. This place has Tyvek sheet barrier applied rather well between the OSB sheathing and the siding. I doubt the wind could get through even without the caulking. I wish the double hung windows sealed as well. I planned to use casement windows, but an engineer at the lumber yard convinced me the windows are too wide to use casements. Our builder told me we would have to install an air-to-air heat exchanger if we used casements. Now I know why it isn't needed with the double hung windows.

Overall the house is extremely efficient. The gas company recenltly replaced our meter saying we have to be burning more gas than the meter indicated. They sent a tech out a few weeks later to confirm the meter dials moved when the furnace fired.