ᐅ Main distribution panel with multimedia extension

Hello,

I am currently considering the main distribution panel.

Framework conditions: SAT (14 cables) and LAN (18 cables) will be installed throughout the house, distributed across the basement, ground floor, and upper floor. The main distribution panel will be located in the basement.

I would like everything to be neatly organized. So, the cabinet should house all SAT cables including the multiswitch, all LAN cables on the patch panel (?), as well as the router/modem. I was offered a main distribution panel with 2 multimedia fields because apparently one is not sufficient. The additional cost of 1,500 EUR gross surprised me, and now I wonder if this solution is unnecessary luxury.

At first, I only see the advantage that the multimedia field includes a patch panel where the LAN cables are connected, and if I forgo multimedia extensions I would need a 24-port switch. I found various models with 1 Gbit for around 100 EUR. The multiswitch must be purchased additionally in both cases.

How have you solved this? If I factor in the switch cost, there are still 1,400 EUR extra for better organization. Am I making a mistake in my thinking? I am more inclined to build a separate cabinet for SAT, LAN, and modem.

Also, the prices for room thermostats and roller shutter controls surprised me a bit.

Net prices:
Simple roller shutter control = up/down switch = 75 EUR
Programmable roller shutter control / astro function = 200 EUR
Simple room thermostat = dial from 0 to 5 = 100 EUR
Room thermostat with digital display = 220 EUR

We do not want to give up the programmable version for the roller shutters, but with the price difference, the simple version of the thermostats will have to suffice.

This is more of an aside; my main interest is your opinion on multimedia equipment in the distribution panel.

Thanks and best regards!

I didn’t bundle everything together in the distribution board, as that would just make it unnecessarily expensive.

My satellite distribution is in the attic... power is on one wall in the utility room... and the network is on another wall.

For the room thermostats, you can safely choose the simplest ones, since you will probably only use them for the first six months or so... after that, they’ll likely remain set to one setting.

For the roller shutters, I would also go with the simplest option and install a control system later if needed, one that matches your requirements and will likely cost only a fraction.

As an alternative for the LAN wiring, you can also plan a dedicated cabinet (server cabinet, wall cabinet, 19-inch). A patch panel (CAT6a) will be installed inside, where the electrician will connect the LAN cables. Later on, you can add your own switches, servers, and more by yourself...

Sorry for the quick question, but why don’t you use the network for satellite instead of installing separate cables?

Thank you for your feedback.

I still need to find out exactly what a patch panel is, as I previously thought it would make a switch unnecessary.

Is watching TV over LAN an IP-based solution? I am even less familiar with that topic. In any case, Sky / pay TV must work for me.

Best regards!

sirhc schrieb:
I still need to figure out exactly what a patch panel is, as I previously thought it would make a switch unnecessary.

A patch panel simply converts the ends of your installed cables (similar to patch cables) into connectors (female, so sockets). However, these are still just the individual ends of your star-shaped cabling. To create a network from this, you need to connect these ends to a router. Typical routers have significantly fewer network ports than required, so you place a switch in between.

Depending on the type of switch (managed, Layer 3, etc.), various configurations are possible. In a private home, the only example I can think of is guest Wi-Fi (which a standard router like a Fritzbox already includes), but it can be made more complex by creating subnets (VLANs) and assigning permissions (for example, allowing the "home office" network access to the internet and printer, while the "children's room" network cannot access the internet… whether this is practical or not, just as an example).