There are standard "cosmetic" features that homeowners have come to expect. · Bay windows · Jetted bathtubs · Rounded corners · Hardwood flooring · Vaulted ceilings

While these features are important to the aesthetics and comforts of the home, they are no longer the only standard that makes a home "modern."

Infrastructure features such as structured wiring and home networking are often overlooked as beneficial features to a well-built home. Today's homeowners want, and often demand, access to the same technology that is available to them in their workplaces:

• Multi-telephone lines
• Computers
• High-speed Internet access
• High-quality peripherals such as digital cameras, scanners and printers

And, all of this equipment must be networked so that access to it is available in any room of the house.

Current wiring can limit the use of these technologies, as well as those of the future. The limited bandwidth (capacity and speed) of today's wiring is problematic. Multiple electronics (multi-telephone lines, computers, high-speed Internet, etc.) compete for precious space on existing telephone cable networks currently in homes. Present wiring schemes will be overloaded very quickly. To avoid this potential gridlock, we suggest moving beyond normal wiring and install a structured wiring or home networking system that provides a greater level of flexibility and control.

For example, ten, even five years ago, homeowners were concerned with the aesthetic features listed above. Now, more and more people are telecommuting or working from home offices. They must have the latest in technology to remain competitive in their own professions and industries. This means the wiring infrastructure must provide the same technological features as those available in their workplaces.

Getting that technology to the home is no longer an idea or a dream of the future. Homes are built with structured wiring every day. But, how does that wiring support these technologies?

To best define structured wiring, lets look at the main components of a structured wiring system.

Wiring

Wiring is an integral component of a structured wiring system. The type of wire installed and the manner in which it is installed will dictate the performance of the entire system.

Bandwidth - One constant in technology is speed and capacity, or how much information can I get and how fast can I get it? Category 5 (Cat5) and Category 5 enhanced (Cat5e) cabling, when properly installed, are capable of transmitting data at 100 Mhz+ and are rapidly becoming the standard in homes.

The concept of using Cat3 wiring for voice and Cat5 wiring for data can restrict the wiring system. Cat3 has a limited bandwidth of 16 Mhz. For example, a telephone outlet may be used for a standard telephone, but it may also be used for a computer to dial into the Internet.

The same holds true for coax lines. Coax lines may be used for high-speed Internet as well as cable television. The preferred Coax cable is RG6 Quad Shield. This cable is capable of at least 2.2 Ghz and is recommended for everything, excluding composite video, in which case an RG59 is recommended.

For the ultimate in speed and capacity, fiber optics is the perfect solution. Fiber optic cabling is currently capable of 7 - 8 Ghz and has the capacity to go as high as 40 Ghz.

Bundled cables - Using bundled cabling, which contains two Cat5e cables, two RG6 Quad coax cables and two multi-mode fiber optic cables provides the necessary wiring infrastructure for current technologies, as well as technologies of the future.

Topology - Looping, or daisy chaining, telephone and coax wires completely destroys the possibility of networking or distributing signals and information throughout the home. To ensure the electronic equipment communicates correctly, a star or home run topology must be used.

Receptacles

Multi-media outlets, or receptacles, are two to six port outlets and provide two main benefits. First, they incorporate multiple types of connections (e.g., telephone, data, video, etc.) into a single outlet, reducing wall clutter. Second, they provide a forward and reverse path capability to the room in which they are installed. Multi-media outlets are typically placed in any location requiring computer, audio or video equipment.

The placement of the outlets in a room is very important. As little as ten years ago, telephone outlets were not placed near coax outlets in the media room, there was no logical reason to do so. Today, with the introduction of the DBS Satellite dish, few people would argue the logic of placing a telephone outlet next to the coax outlet. The goal is to provide the greatest level of flexibility. It should never be required for a homeowner to string a telephone cable across a room to so that he or she can get online.

Distribution

The distribution panel is the one component the homeowner will interact with the most. The cabling will be concealed behind the walls and the receptacles may be hidden behind furniture or desks.

There are several types of distribution panels available. They range from the inexpensive panel available at home improvement stores to the custom panel available exclusively through structured wiring manufactures and distributors.

Most distribution manufacturers offer a panel that will distribute telephone, data and coax signals. Some provide options for security systems, audio distribution, satellite distribution and computer networking. However, the largest problem with the majority of the distribution panels available today, is that they are designed for the installer, not the homeowner.

The average homeowner may find it difficult to make changes or reroute signals in his or her home because of the complexity of wires coming into the distribution panel and the means by which they are, or are not, labeled.

Distribution panels must be designed based on the user-friendliness concept. The panel should offer standard input/output distribution of telephone data and coax signals. Expansion options like security, computer networking, satellite distribution, whole house audio, and automation should also be available and easily integrated into the networking system.

The key word is control. The homeowner must have easy access and control over which room gets which service. The FutureSmart SuperPro series illustrated below offers this control and usability. Taking the simple plug-and-play mentality, the panel allows for a quick change of what services are available in which room. For example, a homeowner wishes to move his home office into a larger room. The most difficult task? Deciding where the furniture should go. The infrastructure for the computer and communications devices is already in place and he simply plugs the equipment into the wall receptacle. Then, from the distribution panel, he reroutes the distribution of services to the larger room.

Thinking beyond the here and now - to the what and then - is the basis of the structured wiring industry. Plan for now, provide for then.