ᐅ Preparing a Smart Home in a New Build

Hello everyone,

Our house construction is expected to start at the end of the year. During the shell construction phase, we will discuss the electrical installation with the electrician. We are building with a general contractor. According to the scope of work description, a conventional electrical system will be installed. In addition, CAT 7 cables will be laid and "terminated on a patch panel"(?).
I was told that I should directly share my wishes with the electrician and educate myself about smart home systems... At the moment, I cannot communicate with the electrician yet because they have not been contracted.

Among other things, we have electric roller shutters that I would like to control. I only want to use wireless as a fallback option. I prefer a wired solution here. In addition to the roller shutters, I also want to integrate window sensors.

My question is: What requirements must be met to later control the roller shutters and evaluate the window sensors using logic control? Which cable needs to be installed?

I am quoting a post I just read:

Option 2: The “I’ll do the KNX wiring later” approach

An in-wall switching actuator from Jung. Controls one channel and fits behind the socket.

As an alternative, the actuators could be installed decentrally, i.e., distributed exactly where they are needed. If there is a KNX data cable in the socket you want to switch, you can connect to the bus there whenever you want. So the extreme version of this wiring would be: you let the electrician do their job and install a conventional electrical system. One supply line per room, with lighting and sockets connected from there. Special outlets (oven, dishwasher) get a separate line. However, there are two requirements:

• All flush-mounted boxes are 63 mm deep.
• A KNX data cable is run to every box. You can do this yourself.

Ultimately, my goal is to be able to integrate logic control in the future if I want to. Therefore, this “decentralized” approach sounds good to me.

Decentralized means having to break into existing empty conduit boxes afterward. You have to locate them and then fill, sand, and paint over them—without any visible signs on the wall. Alternatively, you could use snap-on covers, but that doesn't look very good either.

I would route the wiring for the external blinds directly to the distribution panel, opting for a centralized approach. The window contacts should be handled the same way. This requires a larger control cabinet and using terminal blocks.

However, the conventional switches originally planned would also need to connect directly to the distribution panel.

I would recommend doing it right from the start instead of upgrading a single trade later on. Making only the external blinds controllable doesn’t cost a fortune, so there’s no need to postpone it.

“Smart home” technology extends across all trades. Starting planning only during the shell construction phase is far too late.
If you are not already deeply familiar with the subject, you will need a good (but hard to find) system integrator.
KNX is the right solution. With it, you can do everything you can imagine...
And the best part is that it is a standard. You can combine a wide variety of manufacturers freely.
If something breaks or a manufacturer leaves the market, replacement parts will definitely be available.
Do you want something “remote controllable” or truly “smart”?
For “smart,” you need much more.
There have been several posts on this topic recently.

For blinds, you need switches (if desired), blind actuators, and a weather station.
Additionally, the line itself (line couplers, power supply...) is required.
Depending on the type, the devices themselves may already have some logic integrated.
You can add a proper logic server (from NAS to DIN rail to 19” rack) on top at any time.
What do you mean by window sensors? Reed switches? Glass break detectors?
If you choose KNX, do the whole house at once. Install the bus cables in all corners, ceilings, etc.
This way you can expand it as you wish.

Thank you for your contributions.

I am now exploring the topic of KNX in more detail. I also believe that I can grasp the subject quickly. I just have some doubts about whether our electrician from the general contractor will be able to implement it accordingly...

Smart home does not include roller shutter control, as this is not considered smart. The value for money in the smart home sector is generally poor, especially if you still have to hire someone to install it.

Any local electrician can wire roller shutters for you.

Have everything wired in a star configuration, meaning each cable is run individually to the distribution board.

There, the electrician should initially connect everything so it functions properly.

Meanwhile, you or the electrician can also install the bus cable to each drilled outlet.

Later on, you can upgrade step by step.