Smart home rewire

[conrad]

Just purchased a new house, going to be rewiring... Anyone have any experience with smart home any wiring diagrams/plans/tips/ideas... any input greatly appreciated. Maybe just installing cables for future proofing etc. at the moment. Early doors. Cheers.

 

[SparkyChick]

Take a good look before you leap. Depending on the system you pick, the wiring could be radically different and in some cases, perhaps non-existent.

I've no personal experience on installing this stuff but it is something I'm interested in. Went to a NAPIT Trade Association meeting last week, we had a talk by Gira about their solutions. Much of their stuff is wireless, so no switch wiring.

They have retrofit style devices and DIN rail mounted gear that you could fit from day one, so concentrate your lighting control say in one location, this approach obviously has very different requirements on the wiring front.

But I would definitely investigate thoroughly the option before you rewire.

 

[conrad]

Thank you... I need to do some research... I was thinking for future proofing .. possibly wire conventional and add extra elv/Lv cables that may be required for systems etc. Needs to explore different systems.

 

[Octopus]

Call me old school but there is no substitute for good old cables.

What sort of "smart" technology are you thinking of?

 

[conrad]

Controlling via smart phone apps or remote control via central hubs etc not sure myself at the moment. Haha but wondered if anyone has done similar.

 

[Lagentium]

Id just put conduits in the walls and mark up where they are on the floor above for the switches on the ground floor and you won't even have to bother about it on the first floor if you have an accessible loft, then you will be covered either way. Unless it's a plug and play kind of system with a plug already on it that won't fit down the tube!!

 

[Sooby2]

I'm just getting into this myself. Have a look at the LightwaveRF kit. You can replace standard sockets, light switches etc, with wireless controlled units. If you ever want to move, you can return it to standard again. This also work with Amazon's Alexa, so you can voice control stuff.

I tried Samsung's Smartthings, but I found they've made it all too smart and it doesn't work properly!

 

[conrad]

I like the sound of that... don't really want it to be to complex ie programming hubs etc...

 

[Midwest]

I was reading on another forum, about a guy who had used the Amazon's Alexa. He had connect lights and sockets to the thing, and sat in his living room and say; 'Alexa, turn on the main light, Alexa turn on the table lamp etc etc'. Which I thought was a waste of money. Just get orrff your fat arse, and turn the light on yourself!

 

[mydigitalhome]

Hi Midwest, voice activation is perfect for the old and disabled. Bet you would not consider a TVs without a remote control preferring to sit on your fat arse, so what's the difference?. Same was said about a TVs remote years ago but that's progress. Think of it as business opportunity get trained and embrace it!