Low-voltage Equipment In New Houses Is Important

In order to correctly install low-voltage technologies in new and remodeled home one must have a good predesigned layout of the structure. On graph paper lay out the dimensions of the structure and property along with the locations of all light switches, color touch screens, structured wiring media outlets, speaker locations, and the primary location of the main component room where the units will be installed If you have already designated a utility room or closet as your electronics room, more the better.

Alarm Wiring Security Systems Out Of The Elements

You need to select a spot that is protected from the elements. Out in the garage is not a acceptable place as cold and heat will affect the performance of the electronic components. That spot will also deteriorate them as well. This is especially true if you reside anywhere near a coastline where salty air is present.

Low-Voltage Cat5 vs Cat6 Cable In The Center of The House

Another very significant consideration is to find a place that is somewhat centered within the structure. You will not be able to select a place that is exactly in the center, but do the best you can. With a more or less centered place none of the cable runs are excessively longer than the other wires. It can influence the cost of your project if you are making multiple wire runs the total length of your home. Your wire cost can snowball.

Is Your Electronics Closet Large Enough?

Once you have chosen a place for your components the following step becomes imperitive to the completion of your installation. The amount of wall space required for your personal installation depends on the total number of the systems you aim to install in your house. On of my installations I get by with a wall the size of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. If you do the same a 4 x 8 wall will give you plenty of space to spread things out. If you are only going to install an alarm system system and perhaps one other, then you could get by with a 3 x 8 plywood space.

It Is Plywood Time

Speaking of plywood, while the walls are all open, before the drywall is installed, is when I install the 4 x 8 sheet of ¾" plywood. Depending on how demanding my client is, I either mount the plywood flush to where the drywall will later be installed or I leave enough reveal so that the plywood can be covered with drywall. The reason I mount the plywood is to have a solid surface to cut out to accommodate flush mounting my equipment. I like a distinguished looking flush installation and so will you.

Rough-In Enclosures Must Be Mount

Once you have your plywood mounted you will be measuring the height of the enclosure for the security controller and cutting out a square hole to the exact measurements of the panel you select. I could give you the measurements now, but it wouldn't make a difference. When the enclosure (can) is in your hands, hold it up to the plywood, make sure it's level, and then draw lines marking the top, bottom, left, and right.

Leave Enough Wall Space Behind The Enclosure

Another substantial consideration is the amount of room you extend your equipment wall out from the original wall. In other words, is it extended out a couple feet so that you can fit in behind the equipment and make connections and equipment hookups like mine, or will yours just come out a little bit? The smallest you should accept is to frame your equipment wall out six inches. The more room you tolerate for yourself, the simpler the installation.

Requirement For Extra Electrical Outlets

The third thing you have to do that is equally meaningful to the completion of your installation is to make sure you have plenty of electrical outlets mounted by your electrician. You need to have at least one duplex outlet behind the top of your electronics distribution panel and one near the bottom of your panel. While the walls are open I also strategically pre-mount a couple of power strips on the back side of my 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. Believe me, by the time you start wiring all the power supplies for all the equipment, cameras, hubs, etc., you will be glad you have ample places to plug in stuff.

Another thought about the electrical contractor that may come up is the following: He may not fully comprehend what you are doing and that it is against the building code to install outlets inside closed walls. You will need to explain they will not be in a closed wall as there will be at least two places where you can open a door or hatch and have access to the outlets.

Install Equipment Controllers From Top To Bottom

There are a couple things you will want to achieve. You will want to mount your equipment from top to bottom. I have some systems close to the ceiling and some almost to the floor. That is a smart play. You don't necessarily want everything at waist or eye level. Once you get the components installed, you infrequently need to open most of them again except on rare occasions. There is no need for components to be at waist level when you will go for years without opening some of the equipment panels. You will also want to spread the equipment out as far apart left and right as you can.

Take Out Mother Boards

OK, I will assume you have mounted the 4 x 8 foot, ¾" plywood vertically, measured and mounted the rough-in cans. If you have not already done so, remove the screws that mount the security controller mother board in the can and store it safely in a box. When you remove the mother board, try to handle it with kid gloves. In fact, wear gloves if you have them or use a clean rag so that your fingers are not all over the electronic components on the board. Will that damage it? Likely handling it won't damage anything as it is quite robust, however there is salt in your sweat and you don't want anything on your circuit board. Months will go by before you have to locate and install the mother board back into the enclosure, so keep it safe in a padded box. Do I sound overly cautious? Well maybe I am a little but I have seen strange things happen to electronic components.

You'll Need An Extra Low-Voltage Power Supply

Let me stop so that we can have an understanding about linking multiple console keypads, color touchscreens, motion detectors, glass break detectors, etc.,. The Omni IIe panel has a restrictive limit on the amount of power it can produce in order to power these units. If you look at the specifications on the controller you will see an upper limit of 1 amp. You don't have to be an electronic technician to see that if you are going to install multiple components you will need an additional power supply to power all these 12Vdc devices.

In order for you to be successful in installing your own systems, my recommendation is for you to procure some installation manuals on each system you want included in your new or remodeled home. It has been my experience that when people are contemplating one system for their new or remodeled home, they are likely considering other technologies as well. Read them all then procure your electronics, special tools, and wire so that they are all on the job in advance of your scheduled start date.