Re: Smart home wiring distribution
I have trouble shot X-10 installations for 12 years. And although the technology is easy to install and fun, I would never recommend it when hard wiring is possible. X10 involves a signal getting from a transmitter to a receiver. In the electrical system, there are hundreds of devices and situations that can interfere with that signal getting from the T to the R. Troubleshooting X10 is a nightmare. Many will say they have not had any problems, but a greater number should testify to the opposite. That being said, you asked about audio/video. Pick an equipment location for all your A/V equipment and try to have rear access to the equipment without haveing to remove it. This insures easy equipment maintenance and replacement, and easier troubleshooting. Pick another location for a "hub", a wall cabinet that holds all your CATV, phone, satellite, and network wiring and equipment. Without knowing what you want in your home (distributed audio, home theater, lighting automation, home networking, etc.) it is impossible to tell you exactly what to wire for. Read some appropriate magazines and see what the professionals are doing. Keep all LV wiring at least 12" aay from any electricfal iring running parallel to it. Minimize close proximity to any AC iring when possible. Leviton, Pass & Seymore, and others all make excellent products, find some homes that are wired with their and visit them. Do more research. An automation system that is hard wired, with X10 compatability so you can control the few things that you just can't hard wire is acceptable. Or, a hard wire system with RF exapndability is better if your budget allows. Hope this isn't too much. Good luck.
