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Flushracer26 Feb 2015 11:56Hello dear community,
we are planning to buy a house, preferably an energy-efficient House 55. To be clear, we are still searching and currently have nothing fixed.
However, I am already thinking a lot about topics such as the home network, home bus system, and TV wiring. I have searched a lot online, but many questions remain. I now have some questions and hope you can help me with your experience:
Home Network
Thank you very much for your help.
we are planning to buy a house, preferably an energy-efficient House 55. To be clear, we are still searching and currently have nothing fixed.
However, I am already thinking a lot about topics such as the home network, home bus system, and TV wiring. I have searched a lot online, but many questions remain. I now have some questions and hope you can help me with your experience:
Home Network
- Which cables should I install, considering future-proofing? Cat 6 or Cat 7?
- How does it work with the cables? They are bought, for example, on a 100 or 200 meter (328 or 656 feet) roll. Do connectors need to be attached afterward?
- How are the cables connected to flush-mounted sockets?
- The central point should be the basement. Everything should come together here. Do you use a patch panel (which I have never heard of before) or a router with switches? Internet will be provided by a cable provider. Would the installation then be as follows? Wall socket in the basement --> cable provider’s modem --> router --> patch panel --> flush-mounted sockets?
- How are the network cables actually routed? One cable from the patch panel to each flush-mounted socket? The sockets should each have 2 ports. Or do you have to run 2 cables per socket? IMPORTANT: At least gigabit is required everywhere, preferably 10 Gb! If you assume one cable per port, that will result in a lot of cables.
- Our house should also be future-proof. I keep reading about KNX/EIB bus systems for homes. Can you recommend them? I am thinking, for example, of programming lights and monitoring and controlling the heating and ventilation system.
- What do you think of the company GIRA (KNX system, sockets, etc.)?
- For security reasons, I do not want the home bus system to be connected to the Internet. I do not need to control the heating via the Internet, etc. Is something like this possible (a private home network)?
- TV wiring is actually related to my questions about network installation. What kind of cables are used here?
- Is one cable installed per socket?
- How is this implemented if you have a satellite dish with one LNB? Can the signal be distributed throughout the house? Can everyone watch what they want? Or is additional equipment needed?
Thank you very much for your help.
N
nordanney26 Feb 2015 12:42First of all, the question is whether you want to carry out the work yourself, especially given the detailed questions. Otherwise, a trusted electrician would be the right contact person.
Now to a few points. Why do you need a 10 Gb network? To use it, you also need a suitable switch, which can easily cost around 1,000 EUR (about 1,100 USD). After the router, a switch is always necessary (unless you only want to connect the four ports of the router directly to the corresponding sockets) – only after that comes the patch panel.
We had CAT7 cables installed because the additional cost compared to CAT6 was negligible. In the end, of course, we used CAT6 outlets – but this way we are prepared for whatever comes. The telephone also runs over network cables. Always double cables were installed so that each outlet has two connections.
I can’t say anything about KNX; it was clearly too expensive for us.
Satellite is similar, but here satellite cables (coaxial cables) are used. From, for example, a 4-output LNB to a splitter, from there to all desired rooms (we have eight lines), and of course double lines can also be laid (check and record). Satellite cables can also be used to distribute cable TV, so they are quite flexible.
Now to a few points. Why do you need a 10 Gb network? To use it, you also need a suitable switch, which can easily cost around 1,000 EUR (about 1,100 USD). After the router, a switch is always necessary (unless you only want to connect the four ports of the router directly to the corresponding sockets) – only after that comes the patch panel.
We had CAT7 cables installed because the additional cost compared to CAT6 was negligible. In the end, of course, we used CAT6 outlets – but this way we are prepared for whatever comes. The telephone also runs over network cables. Always double cables were installed so that each outlet has two connections.
I can’t say anything about KNX; it was clearly too expensive for us.
Satellite is similar, but here satellite cables (coaxial cables) are used. From, for example, a 4-output LNB to a splitter, from there to all desired rooms (we have eight lines), and of course double lines can also be laid (check and record). Satellite cables can also be used to distribute cable TV, so they are quite flexible.
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Flushracer26 Feb 2015 13:40nordanney schrieb:
First of all, the question is whether you want to carry out the work yourself, especially considering the detailed questions. Otherwise, a trusted electrician is the right contact person.
Now to some points. Why do you need a 10 Gb network? To use it, you also need a suitable switch, which can easily cost around 1,000 EUR (about 1,060 USD). After the router, a switch is always necessary (unless you only want to connect the four ports of the router directly to matching outlets) — only after that comes the patch panel.
We had Cat7 cables installed because the extra cost compared to Cat6 was negligible. In the end, Cat6 outlets were used, but this way we are prepared for whatever use. Telephone also runs over network cables. Always installed double cables so that each outlet has two connections.
I can’t say anything about KNX; it was far too expensive for us.
Sat TV is similar but uses satellite cables (coaxial cable). From, for example, a 4-way LNB to a splitter, and then to all desired rooms (we have eight cables); of course, double cables can also be used (inspect and measure). By the way, cable TV can also be distributed over the satellite cable, so it is flexible. Hello,
we are quite handy ourselves, so we plan to do a lot of the work ourselves. Of course, an electrician would need to check and also do the electrical connections.
10 Gb will certainly be needed in the future; for now, 1 Gb is sufficient. The hardware will also become more affordable by then. Currently, I have a Netgear R7000 Nighthawk router and a Netgear GS108-E 8-port Gigabit switch. So, I could continue to use this hardware.
Okay, that’s a first statement: the tendency is toward Cat7 cables. And instead of installing two cables, it’s better to use duplex cables.
For TV: that means a new 4-way LNB is needed along with a splitter, then coax cables to the rooms.
Thanks for the initial response.
If you want to use Wi-Fi in addition to fixed network connections (which is useful for various mobile devices), you should consider where to centrally install your Wi-Fi router or access point to ensure the best possible coverage throughout your home. At this point, you may also need at least one network outlet. Nowadays, most routers already have a DECT phone system integrated; if not, you should have a socket installed in a suitable location for this purpose as well.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend installing these devices in the basement, but that depends on how you build.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend installing these devices in the basement, but that depends on how you build.
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Flushracer26 Feb 2015 14:08FrankH schrieb:
If you want to use Wi-Fi in addition to fixed network connections (which is useful for various mobile devices), you should consider where to centrally install your Wi-Fi router or access point to ensure good coverage throughout your home. At this point, you will likely need at least one network outlet. Nowadays, DECT telephone systems are often integrated into the router, but if not, you should also have a socket installed in a suitable location for that purpose.
I wouldn’t recommend placing these devices in the basement, but that depends on your building project.Hello,
thanks, good tip. By the way, telephones can also operate over network cables, right?
I just looked into Cat 7 duplex network cables. Are these available in different colors? I keep finding only orange. I’d like to use different colors for each room to keep things organized.
I’ll add some comments on this...
When it comes to cabling, I recommend installing CAT 7 cables everywhere; the extra cost is negligible. Even though CAT 7 sockets and connectors may not be widely available yet, they will come eventually. Whether you use duplex cables or two single cables doesn’t really matter. For example, I simply laid two cables everywhere because it was easier and cheaper.
From each socket, the cables should run to your central point, for example, the basement or utility room. There, since these are installation cables, they are terminated on a patch panel because you can’t attach connectors directly to installation cables—they are relatively rigid.
The installation cables are connected to the patch panel and the sockets using LSA strips (also called insulation displacement connectors). For this, you will need an LSA punch-down tool, plus knowledge about the wiring standard for RJ-45 connectors and cable routing guidelines.
In my setup, I ran two cables to each room. For rooms with more entertainment devices, like the living room, I installed between four and six cables, depending on the room type.
For satellite TV (SAT), you need to decide whether to use a multiswitch or connect the receivers directly to the LNB. A multiswitch has the advantage of distributing multiple satellites (more than two) easily to all TVs in the house. Without a multiswitch, you are usually limited to one or two satellites and one or two receivers.
For example, I have four satellites connected to eight receivers. This requires 17 cables from the dish to the multiswitch, and from there, one or two cables to each respective satellite outlet.
KNX is an excellent system—I installed it myself. The possibilities are almost unlimited, only constrained by your budget. You can do a lot with it. However, you need an ETS license to modify the installation (ETS is the only software that can program/configure KNX). Without ETS, any changes require an electrician to come on-site. Connecting KNX to the internet is safe as long as you don’t open any ports and access your home installation remotely via VPN.
It’s fun to check whether everything is okay, if all the lights are off, or to turn something on or off remotely. Of course, you don’t use it constantly, but occasionally it’s very helpful.
You can also create applications like face recognition or having the camera take a picture and send it by email if someone rings the doorbell and you're not home—there are many possibilities.
The company GIRA makes great products, but they are very expensive. The advantage of KNX is that you can mix and match devices from different manufacturers—for example, switches from Berker, actuators from Gira, smoke detectors from Merten, dimmers from MDT, power supplies from Siemens, and so on. So, just choose what’s affordable and meets your functional needs—you don’t have to stick to one brand.
When it comes to cabling, I recommend installing CAT 7 cables everywhere; the extra cost is negligible. Even though CAT 7 sockets and connectors may not be widely available yet, they will come eventually. Whether you use duplex cables or two single cables doesn’t really matter. For example, I simply laid two cables everywhere because it was easier and cheaper.
From each socket, the cables should run to your central point, for example, the basement or utility room. There, since these are installation cables, they are terminated on a patch panel because you can’t attach connectors directly to installation cables—they are relatively rigid.
The installation cables are connected to the patch panel and the sockets using LSA strips (also called insulation displacement connectors). For this, you will need an LSA punch-down tool, plus knowledge about the wiring standard for RJ-45 connectors and cable routing guidelines.
In my setup, I ran two cables to each room. For rooms with more entertainment devices, like the living room, I installed between four and six cables, depending on the room type.
For satellite TV (SAT), you need to decide whether to use a multiswitch or connect the receivers directly to the LNB. A multiswitch has the advantage of distributing multiple satellites (more than two) easily to all TVs in the house. Without a multiswitch, you are usually limited to one or two satellites and one or two receivers.
For example, I have four satellites connected to eight receivers. This requires 17 cables from the dish to the multiswitch, and from there, one or two cables to each respective satellite outlet.
KNX is an excellent system—I installed it myself. The possibilities are almost unlimited, only constrained by your budget. You can do a lot with it. However, you need an ETS license to modify the installation (ETS is the only software that can program/configure KNX). Without ETS, any changes require an electrician to come on-site. Connecting KNX to the internet is safe as long as you don’t open any ports and access your home installation remotely via VPN.
It’s fun to check whether everything is okay, if all the lights are off, or to turn something on or off remotely. Of course, you don’t use it constantly, but occasionally it’s very helpful.
You can also create applications like face recognition or having the camera take a picture and send it by email if someone rings the doorbell and you're not home—there are many possibilities.
The company GIRA makes great products, but they are very expensive. The advantage of KNX is that you can mix and match devices from different manufacturers—for example, switches from Berker, actuators from Gira, smoke detectors from Merten, dimmers from MDT, power supplies from Siemens, and so on. So, just choose what’s affordable and meets your functional needs—you don’t have to stick to one brand.