Hello,
We have purchased a semi-detached house from a developer, so we cannot make many changes.
We are now at the electrical planning stage. What should be considered during electrical planning to ensure future-proofing and avoid mistakes?
Here are a few points that come to mind.
SAT cable: A satellite dish will be installed on the roof, with four cables running to the technical room, and from there everything will be distributed to all rooms via a multiswitch.
Ethernet will be distributed from the technical room to all rooms (Cat7).
How should we prepare for a video doorbell? Regular doorbell wiring plus Ethernet?
Wallbox in the garage: should it be pre-installed or installed immediately? Our first electric car will arrive within 2-4 years.
Photovoltaic preparation (not offered by the developer): is a conduit from the roof to the technical room sufficient? If so, what diameter is recommended?
We want to retrofit “smart home” features ourselves later: we plan to automate electric shutters, underfloor heating, and window sensors once the new Matter system is available and after we have saved some money. We cannot afford a Busch free@home system offered by the electrician; we want to upgrade gradually.
What else should we keep in mind?
We have purchased a semi-detached house from a developer, so we cannot make many changes.
We are now at the electrical planning stage. What should be considered during electrical planning to ensure future-proofing and avoid mistakes?
Here are a few points that come to mind.
SAT cable: A satellite dish will be installed on the roof, with four cables running to the technical room, and from there everything will be distributed to all rooms via a multiswitch.
Ethernet will be distributed from the technical room to all rooms (Cat7).
How should we prepare for a video doorbell? Regular doorbell wiring plus Ethernet?
Wallbox in the garage: should it be pre-installed or installed immediately? Our first electric car will arrive within 2-4 years.
Photovoltaic preparation (not offered by the developer): is a conduit from the roof to the technical room sufficient? If so, what diameter is recommended?
We want to retrofit “smart home” features ourselves later: we plan to automate electric shutters, underfloor heating, and window sensors once the new Matter system is available and after we have saved some money. We cannot afford a Busch free@home system offered by the electrician; we want to upgrade gradually.
What else should we keep in mind?
The approach. In conventional wiring, you have separate circuits without a neutral conductor, which limits your flexibility.
Whenever possible, wire everything in a star topology. If that’s not feasible (for example, due to cost), then at least wire all lights and blinds separately, and connect the sockets in each room in a ring circuit using 5x1.5 mm² (5x16 AWG) cable. This way, you can still decide much later how each socket and light is ultimately wired—whether with constant power or switched separately and/or grouped together. This can be done for each circuit and can always be changed again without dust and major effort.
Whenever possible, wire everything in a star topology. If that’s not feasible (for example, due to cost), then at least wire all lights and blinds separately, and connect the sockets in each room in a ring circuit using 5x1.5 mm² (5x16 AWG) cable. This way, you can still decide much later how each socket and light is ultimately wired—whether with constant power or switched separately and/or grouped together. This can be done for each circuit and can always be changed again without dust and major effort.
OK, I will suggest this to the electrician.
What are all the advantages of the star (wiring) system?
If we do it this way, we can definitely retrofit Matter Opus or other retrofit solutions later.
With conventional wiring, retrofitting is not that easy.
Did I understand that correctly?
What are all the advantages of the star (wiring) system?
If we do it this way, we can definitely retrofit Matter Opus or other retrofit solutions later.
With conventional wiring, retrofitting is not that easy.
Did I understand that correctly?
I already described this. With a star topology, also known as structured cabling, you have almost unlimited options even years later. Because you can connect everything as you need, with phase, neutral, and earth wires available almost everywhere (wherever you place the outlets). Pushed to the extreme, this even partially enables KNX, Free@home, and other wired systems.
With conventional wiring, you inevitably end up at wall boxes (which come with their own limitations) and face restrictions in terms of cable cross-sections, etc. Sometimes the neutral wire is missing, and implementing a simple central switch requires significantly more effort than necessary.
Calculations from the early 2000s showed that, for example, KNX becomes cost-effective from about 13 roller shutters onward, as it is overall cheaper compared to conventional wiring with the same functionality. Prices have dropped somewhat since then, and today that threshold is probably around 9-10.
But yes, conventional wiring is still commonly used because it is cheap, given that you only install basic functions like light on/off and roller shutter up/down, which can be done even by a first-year apprentice. After all, it doesn’t require much thought... and of course: "we’ve always done it that way"(c)
With conventional wiring, you inevitably end up at wall boxes (which come with their own limitations) and face restrictions in terms of cable cross-sections, etc. Sometimes the neutral wire is missing, and implementing a simple central switch requires significantly more effort than necessary.
Calculations from the early 2000s showed that, for example, KNX becomes cost-effective from about 13 roller shutters onward, as it is overall cheaper compared to conventional wiring with the same functionality. Prices have dropped somewhat since then, and today that threshold is probably around 9-10.
But yes, conventional wiring is still commonly used because it is cheap, given that you only install basic functions like light on/off and roller shutter up/down, which can be done even by a first-year apprentice. After all, it doesn’t require much thought... and of course: "we’ve always done it that way"(c)
OK, thanks, I will discuss this with the electrician.
Could you possibly estimate the additional cost of star wiring compared to conventional wiring so that we can tell if the electrician is overcharging?
Could you also estimate the cost of a Busch free@home and KNX solution if we don’t do the conventional wiring (which would then be omitted)?
I understand you can only provide an estimated price difference.
I would still appreciate a price estimate.
Could you possibly estimate the additional cost of star wiring compared to conventional wiring so that we can tell if the electrician is overcharging?
Could you also estimate the cost of a Busch free@home and KNX solution if we don’t do the conventional wiring (which would then be omitted)?
I understand you can only provide an estimated price difference.
I would still appreciate a price estimate.
Taitv789 schrieb:
Can you possibly estimate the additional cost of star wiring compared to conventional wiring, so we can see if the electrician is overcharging? About one third more. Although more material is required, there are no terminal points or extra drillings for boxes. So, more cable but less labor time.
Taitv789 schrieb:
Can you also possibly estimate the cost of a Busch free@ home and KNX solution if the conventional wiring (which would then be omitted) is taken out? It really depends on what is installed. Just choosing different switches alone can significantly increase the cost.
Thanks. We will see what price he gives us for Free@home. The builder said the electrician offers that (he didn’t know about KNX).
Which areas should we include in Free@Home?
Shutters
Lighting
Video doorbell
Heating
What else makes sense?
Sockets? I don’t think I need to control them. It would probably only make sense in very few cases.
Also, we can’t create 2 or 3 outlets from 1 socket ourselves.
What else should we include?
The window contacts are installed later via wireless under the handle.
Which areas should we include in Free@Home?
Shutters
Lighting
Video doorbell
Heating
What else makes sense?
Sockets? I don’t think I need to control them. It would probably only make sense in very few cases.
Also, we can’t create 2 or 3 outlets from 1 socket ourselves.
What else should we include?
The window contacts are installed later via wireless under the handle.