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Industry Opinion - Structured Wiring and Power Systems (5/5/2008)

By Yasmin Hashmi, HiddenWires

Once the home cinema has been installed, what next? Audio, video and data in every room? How about automating the lighting, curtains and security? For anyone planning a smart home, it quickly becomes clear a wiring system is needed that not only accommodates current requirements, but is future proofed. Some might decide to install a basic wiring system and hope that future additions can be dealt with wirelessly, but there are plenty who argue that a properly-planned system should include wire wherever possible, even if it means using existing power lines for data communications. Then there are issues between low-voltage and high-voltage systems; whether to keep them apart, whether to have separate mains circuits for home entertainment systems, and whether to include treatment of mains supplies.

To give you an idea of how the custom install industry is dealing with such issues, we asked a number of manufacturers, suppliers and installers what the current challenges are in terms of structured wiring and power systems, and what recent technical innovations are important. Here are their replies:

Adam Brinton, Networking and IP Systems Specialist, The Multi-Room Company

While it is tempting to use a wireless system for retrofitting multiroom audio, video and lighting, it can be affected by interference from cordless phones and other devices, and have limited bandwidth for streaming video. Hence we still recommend a wired system, perhaps with some wireless control from a laptop or tablet.

When installing a low-voltage wired system, the cables must not run together with the existing high-voltage ones, otherwise EMI can cause problems with audio and video playback and data transfer. The correct cable should be used, there should be a good termination point, and the bend radius must be observed. It is also good practice to run an additional cable for future upgrades/diagnosis. In addition, with the increasing use of computer-based media servers as entertainment systems, it is good practice to ensure that backup and power surge protection is used in the form of an uninterruptable power supply.

David King, Managing Director, DKT Ltd

It is now so easy for clients to add both powerline Ethernet and WiFi access points to their home networks that it has really forced us to 'up the ante' and start putting in managed network switches. The CI/AV industry needs to know how to isolate the client's 'domestic' network from all of the 'pro' network traffic. The interesting part, which is where Cisco qualifications were essential for us, is that the two or three networks still need to retain some cross-fertilisation of data. For example, we need to keep open some of the uPnP media channels across all network boundaries.

John Armer, Marketing and Sales Manager, Russ Andrews Accessories

In terms of power systems, I believe that the growth and adoption of wireless networks, and the use of the mains wiring itself as a data network, will have a profound effect on the sound and picture quality, and musicality, of hi-fi and home cinema systems. The need for separate mains circuits for home entertainment systems will become more important in order to reduce interference and ensure effective earthing, with the benefit that installations are faster to set up, mains problems are reduced and ultimate quality is higher. Mains filtering and adoption of 'balanced' mains supplies will be key to the very best quality installations.

Garth Powell, Senior Product Engineer, Furman

Today's home theatre features incredibly sensitive, high-resolution/high-definition equipment with performance that is potentially on par with some of the world's best broadcast facilities and recording studios. Unfortunately, what's common practice in the latter's structured wiring in dealing with AC power, is still rare in home theatre. Too many electricians do not understand what is meant by a dedicated AC line. Further, most grounding schemes (i.e. ground rods specifically to minimise noise), are insufficient in home installations. Electricians work with their local codes that are entirely based on eliminating electrical shock and fire. They have nothing to do with reliable operation of sensitive microprocessors, D/A converters, scalers, or time clocks. Minimising AC noise requires very low-impedance, chemically-treated ground rods, dedicated low-resistance wiring, and as close to a single point star configuration as possible for all ground returns.

Structured AC wiring alone cannot adequately provide noise-free operation or safeguard valuable components from damage. However, in conjunction with advanced power management products, peak-trouble-free performance is assured.

John Robb, Marketing Manager, Schneider Electric Residential Systems and Solutions

Where smart home technology is concerned, specialist installers still dominate the marketplace. This leads to potential conflicts between them and electricians when pulling cable during the first fix in new-build projects. But for the best efficiency, both data cable (typically CAT5 or 6) and power cabling can be pulled at the same time. Strong cooperation between electricians and specialist installers is required and there is little that technology can do to overcome this.

Technological developments however, have brought benefits to the entire electrical infrastructure of a home. For example, the same intelligent networks that can pipe music, TV, video, telephone and datacoms around a home, can also be deployed to implement energy-saving systems such as room occupancy lighting control.

In the refurbishment market, things are rather different, in that electrical contractors and smart homes installers are less likely to need access at the same time. However, in refurbishment projects the simplification of network installation is being seen, with developments, such as our Delta 8 hub unit which is aimed at enabling entertainment, IT and telephony systems to be integrated quickly and easily.

Mike Wingrove, Director, ACA-Apex

Lack of information or a full specification from the client is usually the biggest hurdle that the custom installer faces. Then being pulled from pillar to post through bad decisions or varying opinions from developers, builders, electricians and the end-user, only adds to the burden. On top of that, TV programmes covering home builds and gadgets play another major part showing what can be done with high-tech solutions, but never state the real cost of the technology.

Most clients have eyes bigger than their wallet until they are reigned in by a quote, and then make the custom installer submit quotes over and over again. Some developers also want custom installers to put in basic IT infrastructures at near cost and expect the installer to make the profit on upgrades direct to the end user, but we all know that this doesn't work in the real world. Other problems include first fix cabling by others, such as electricians, who cannot fathom what a star-wired or bus topology is, and do not have enough lead in their pencils to write on every cable end! So when a client gets a bill for four days work instead of two because you have had to buzz out each and every cable, the tight budget that you had to work to, can turn into the arguments and hassle none of us needs. Having a firm brief and a budget to work within are therefore paramount!

Anthony Maragh, Sales Manager, Structured Cable Products

For installers who work by themselves, most of the challenges are in ways that allow them to be more time-efficient. For example, when in the attic, nothing is more frustrating as pulling wire for an in-wall speaker installation, when without warning, the wire tangles in the pull box. Now the installer has to walk downstairs, untangle wire and then return to the attic to start pulling again, only to have the wire tangle again and again. Not only is this a waste of time and energy, but it is very frustrating. Wide-mouth pull boxes may provide the installer with virtually no snagging or tangling, but most of the designs are still not perfect, so heavy-duty pull box design improvements by manufacturers can help to reduce tangles, as well as breaking of the box handles while being handled.

Also, pre-wire installation kits give the installer the ability to pick a location to pre-wire for a speaker component and secure the wire in place. After the drywall is installed, the installer returns to install the flushmount cap over the wire outlet hole which provides later access to the wire for an easier final installation.

Another new technical innovation addresses one of the principal reasons for callbacks which have to do with CAT5E or CAT6 terminations. The patented EZ-RJ45 allows the installer to easily verify the wire order on his/her CAT5E and CAT6 terminations before cutting and crimping. It also improves performance by pulling the connector down over the cable jacket and seating it tightly in the rear of the connector. When used with the EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool, the cutting and crimping is all done in one motion making perfect terminations a snap!

Christopher Reiff, Vice President of Sales, Channel Vision Technology

With technology changing rapidly, the challenges facing the residential custom installer focus on two issues: obsolescence and capability. It is imperative that the installer understands current technology and even more importantly, new technologies that the customer will demand in the near future. Structured cabling systems need to be future proof. To assure this, teaming with key manufacturers and organisations can help installers keep up with this rapid change through design, help and training.

If you would like to comment on this issue, or to be included in future opinion pieces, please send an email to opinion(AT)hiddenwires.co.uk.