 |
| Volume 3 Issue 4 August 1998 |
Features
Interviews
Columns |
 |
| HTINews Article - Aug98 - [HTI Home Page] |
KEEP INFORMED OF THE LATEST NEWS Sign Up for our Newsletter [Click Message To Learn More] |
|
Index of Cabling Interviews AMP - Todd Regar |
As you can see in this issue of the HTINews, home system cabling has become a very popular topic. The trend in the industry is clear ... don't buy or build a new home without the proper cabling installed. I don't think it's any longer a question of "Is cabling necessary?" as it was only a few short months ago. Now the question is "What is the minimum cabling requirement?" The Home Network is a reality and encompasses communication, computer networking, entertainment, automation, security, energy usage and a bunch of other stuff I forget or hasn't yet been invented.
In this article I'd like to summarize some of the points made by the cabling manufacturers interviewed in this issue and of course make a few points of my own. You can read the full interviews by clicking the links at the top of this page or the index on the left. Many thanks to the company representatives who spent the time to participate in these interviews.
Lets start with Question 1 (logical place to start don't you think?). "What do you recommend as a standard cabling package for a modern home? Please list the components of the system and their uses. (i.e. Distribution Panel, Number of cables and types, outlets etc.)"
The consensus here seems to be two runs each of RG6 coax cable and Cat-5 twisted pair cable, homerun to a centrally located cross-connect panel. Minimum of one 4-6 port wall plate per living area with more in multipurpose rooms. Other considerations include Fiber Optic cabling, speaker wire, security wire and multi-conductor wire for Automation and audio keypads/controllers and/or flex conduit (as code allows) for future pulls, including fiber.
|
OK Question 2 says "What systems would connect and interact via the cabling now and in the future?"
In a nutshell, the answer here is ... anything and everything you can think of and a bunch of stuff that hasn't been invented yet. The basic systems include Audio/Video, voice & data, automation, HVAC and security.
But wait a minute ... what about the average guy who really doesn't know or care to know about voice and data, automation etc. and just wants to watch Monday night football while his better half is in the next room checking out the "Good Things" that Martha Stewart has to offer.
Oh Oh ... look at that ... the WebTV announcer says I can get a collectors set of rhinestone Dallas Cowboy mugs for half price by clicking a button on the screen in the next 2 minutes ... awesome dude lets do it. But wait, the phone's ringing and the TV says it's my Mother in law ... quick transfer the call to the other room while I order those mugs.
Guess what pal ... you just used all that fancy wiring in the wall and didn't even know it. Sound like science fiction ... it was a few years ago ... what about tomorrow?
Now down to the nitty gritty ... $$$$$$$$. Question 3 says "Do you have rule of thumb installed costs for this standard (i.e. $/sq ft. or $/room etc.)? How much more does it cost for retrofit?"
As expected we're all over the ballpark here from a low of $500 to a high of $5000 depending on the complexity and customization of the system. Many did not respond with a number at all. I suppose it's not really a fair question but it's one that requires a response and will, I predict, be resolved in the future. I think it would be better to say (as Lucent did) that for a "standard" 3 bedroom 2500 sq. ft. home in Dallas with x number of 4 port outlets (2 CAT5 and 2 RG6) the cost would be approximately $xx.xx for cable rough in, $yy.yy for panel installation and $zz.zz for wall plate installation. That gives the buyer an idea of the magnitude of the costs and let's him know that it will be extra for other neat stuff. For example, if I phone a built in vacuum system installer and ask the same question, he'll give me a direct answer but ask that I let him quote exact prices from a set of house plans.
Now what about the retrofit market? We can safely assume that the cost of materials will remain the same but the cost of labor is highly variable and will make up most of the final cost. I would imagine that most of the interest in this area will come from detached home owners rather than builders, developers etc. I can't see it being worthwhile for a condominium association or apartment building owner to install cabling (but I may be wrong). Even at that, I think most electricians would tell us that electrical renovations occur only when other physical changes occur to the dwelling (i.e. move a wall, add a room etc.). How many homeowners have the desire, the dollars and the fortitude to instigate a cabling project? At present I don't think there are many. Mega dollars are being spent developing wireless and powerline networking equipment to answer this need and in the next year or so we should begin to see more products for the retrofit market. Have a look at Powerline Communications by Eitan Einwohner of ITRAN Communications and Powerline Modem by Christer Johansson of HTH in this issue for some insight into this topic. Another interesting philosophy and retrofit product line comes from Herb Hauser of Barnes Wentworth Inc. in The Fourth Utility.
Question 4: "How futureproof is an installation as described here? What could be added to the system (in order of priority) to extend it's life and scope?"
My favorite answer to this one came from RCS ... "The installation is futureproof in the sense that it is an information infrastructure. Like all home infrastructures (plumbing, electrical, etc.) future needs may necessitate additions to this infrastructure, but this infrastructure provides sufficient bandwidth for all foreseeable home electronics." I think this says it all. Some recommended installation of fiber optic cable and others say install conduit for futureproofing but we can all agree that this adds extra cost to the installation and may or may not be useful in the future.
I think it's most important that some standards be established so that new homes contain at least the minimum cabling (which looks to be 2 each of CAT5 and RG6 to each room). With that infrastructure in place it seems to me that future product development would concentrate on using that existing media rather going beyond what is practical. After all, I can buy the fanciest toilet available today and not have to install special piping to use it. Also, look what the techies have done with existing infrastructure as it is. They said that a phone line couldn't support a modem faster that 300 baud and I sure never dreamt that my house wiring could be used as a computer network. Imagine what can be done with quality coax and twisted pair cabling in the future.
That said, the legacy of the PC world scares the crzzzp out of me. Upgrade upgrade upgrade ... $$$$ every year. Fortunately or unfortunately I believe that scenario applies to devices on our home network and not the network itself. I sure hope I'm right or the next generation of houses will need to be build with dropped T-bar ceilings to allow for future changes. Now that would be downright ugly.
So, who is going to install all of this fancy infrastructure. Question 5 asks: "Can I just get the electrician to install your cabling and components? If not why not and who do I call?"
All of the manufacturers interviewed indicate that training is required to install modern cabling systems. Ya cain't just crank on the end o da wire and nail it to da studs pal. Be careful with this one folks. As soon as there is a sign of money to be made from unsuspecting homeowners, there will be a host of "Qualified" bozos knocking on your door wanting to install one of them there home network dew hickies at half the price of them fancy city slickers. My advice ... decide on the manufacturer and ask him to refer you to an installer ... and ask for a guarantee. Each home run of cable must be tested and in my opinion you should be given a signed check sheet listing each run and the test results. After all, you may not be installing devices for months or even years to come and you need to know that the wiring is right. Many of the manufacturers interviewed have dealer listings on their websites.
The final question reads: "What makes your system unique in the marketplace?"
The key here seems to be flexibility and open architecture. Most of our manufacturers claim to provide versatile products that can be adapted to custom installations. I doesn't appear that any offer "unique" products and perhaps this is a good thing. After all we're talking wire and plugs here. We don't want to be locked into a rigid installation and there's nothing stopping us (at least that I know of) from selecting Wire from company A, Wallplates from company B and a Panel from company C etc. and combining them to suit our tastes and budget.
The question that I didn't ask in the interviews is: "Who should get into wiring and how can they do it?" I'll attempt to answer that one myself based on what I've learned here, what I see coming down the road and a wee bit of common sense.
Architects / Designers - Customers are asking about and soon will demand structured wiring both for individual dwellings and multiple units and developments. Better line up a Systems Consultant to help you out and get some standard specifications online and don't forget to provide some space for a new room in every abode ... the wiring closet.
Engineers / Consultants - Architects (see above) will be all over you to provide consulting services for Home Networks. This is a new opportunity for Electrical Engineers and will help you stand above the competition if you can provide combined electrical and network services. It's also an opportunity for a new field of specialist ... Home Networking Consultants. Get those specifications written up and search out some System Integrators / Dealers in your area to bid on projects and assist in design considerations.
Builders / Developers - Large projects. Hire an architect that is familiar with Home Networking and ensure that the minimum standards are included. Give thought and discussion to the competitive advantages of providing advanced features in your next project and aftermarket sales of devices etc. Turnkey solutions are available.
Builders - Individual Dwellings - Find a few System Integrators / Dealers in your area that can provide design and installation advice and services. Be sure of qualifications. This may mean a new subcontractor who needs to get involved early in the building process.
Multi Unit Building Owners - Be prepared to upgrade your building in the future to remain competitive in the rental market. Get competitive bids from various consultants, Integrators / Dealers etc.
Buying or renting a new dwelling - Don't unless it has at least a basic wiring package installed. Think about what you need now and in the future. Make sure the home will work for you.
Building a new home or doing a major renovation - Consult with a System Integrator / Dealer in your area. Think about what you need now, what you think you'll need in the future, and how much you can spend. Don't build without at least a minimal cabling system roughed in. Don't cheap out on the design phase of your house ... a good design team needs to eat too you know ... and they'll save you money in the long run.
Just want the basics in your good old house or apartment - Think about what you need now, what you think you'll need in the future, and how much you can spend. Look into wireless and powerline solutions ... they may do the trick for you. Consult with a System Integrator / Dealer in your area. Be prepared to live in a bit of a mess for awhile but it'll be worth it.
Do it yourself builders / renovators / automators - Do what you always do ... learn about it ... build it ... try to make it work ... change it ... try to make it work again ... have fun with it.
Everybody else - Don't worry, soon you'll fit into one of the categories above.
Have I missed anybody ... let me know ... bobh@hometoys.com .
