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Low Voltage Home Pre-Wire Guide

Installation Information for the Do-it-Yourselfer
by Mark Henrichs - markh@mcdata.com

This article is intended to present ideas, discuss experiences, and generally assist those building or remodeling a house, who plan on installing low voltage wiring for audio, video, home automation, phone, and data communications. It is based on the adventures of our family doing such wiring ourselves on a new home, but is hopefully usable by others contemplating similar wiring tasks. This article is not intended by any means to be an authoritative source on any topic discussed. Information contained here must be used with the understanding that the author is not liable for ommisions, errors, or misunderstandings in any way.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
  • Wiring Design Goals and Caveats
  • Information Sources
• Audio System Design
• General Features and Wiring Layouts
  • Feature/Layout Description
  • Media Room / Home Theater
  • Whole-House Audio
  • Powerline, Video, Phone, and Data
  • Schematic of Typical Full Room Wiring
• Wire Types and Sources
  • Cable Ratings
  • Whole House Audio
  • Media Room Audio
  • Video Coaxial Cable
  • Phone and Data Cable
  • Wire Type/Cost Chart
  • Purchase Sources
• Wire Routing and Installation
  • Wall Boxes
  • Routing Around Electrical
  • Drilling Holes
  • Planning Routes and Pulling Cable
• Miscellaneous Wiring Ideas
• Surge Protection and Bridges
• Finishing the Installation
  • Speakers
  • Volume Controls and A/B Switches
  • Telephone Hub
  • Telephone and Cable Outlets
• Index of Photographs