THE VALUE CHAIN:

Investing in home networked platform cabling is a basic necessity for building development and renovations if maximising the communication process in a house is to be achieved. Even retrofits are going to require some wiring and allocation of resources to take advantage of new technologies that embrace wireless operability. In fact, I consider it has reached the point where wiring for networks will be done as a matter of course in the same way it is accepted that any structure requires electrical cabling to function in an efficient manner.

To extend the cable beyond basic networks to encompass security, CCTV, distributed audio and all the other features that comprise an automated environment, to me, just makes a whole lot of sense! It will add a minimal amount to the work undertaken and allows future technology applications to be installed that would be extremely difficult and certainly very expensive if done at a later date. As I point out to clients when the wiring documentation is presented, it may appear unnecessary to run TV and Cat5 to additional bedrooms for other than data, but the cost of putting it in at the time is future insurance and the homeowner doesn't need to have it fitted off. But when the time comes to sell, it is a significant advantage for prospective buyers.

The most important aspect of networking and future and/or current automation objectives is to plan ahead:

1. Decide on what type of local infrastructure you want and estimate what future expansion capabilities will be needed. Make a list of all the equipment you think will be connected and controlled using the operational platform, i.e. air-conditioners, cable TV, CCTV, pool hardware and the like. This will help you in terms of selecting a provider who can provide information on how easy it would be to interface with a selected O/S.
2. Either have a wiring plan done by a professional or if you feel competent enough to cover all the bases, do it yourself. It needs to include every conceivable configuration that incorporates the peripheral devices you intend to purchase.
3. Research all the controllers and logic engines available, ensuring that inter-operability is possible with them all and that, if possible, programming can be undertaken by you once it is installed and commissioned. Although it will be almost impossible to avoid hardware that is proprietary in nature, quite a few manufactures of such devices provide for seamless integration with centralised systems to some extent or another. If the supplier or distributor gives you an undertaking in that respect, have them put it in writing.
4. Have some idea of your budget and what you want to spend now and later. However, what may appear expensive now may well have been worth the investment if what you end up with is too complex to program by yourself, unable to interface with a range of technologies you decide later to employ or is made by a manufacturer who considers they have produced the ultimate package and spend little or nothing on further upgrades or improvements. This can be a common and unfortunate outcome of some automation system purchases.

This house is in Mt Waverley Victoria and was a project undertaken by Digihouse as an end to end project in 2005. We did the wiring documentation, installation and commissioning of distributed audio, CCTV, Home Theatre (audio system 7.1) and 5.1 in the Family room. External thermostats support control of the Mitsubishi air conditioner to enable both remote control and programming that incorporates management of 15 electric blinds. A full security system, rack, HomeVision Pro and infrared distribution, plus C-Bus lighting and external A10 modules for garden lighting completed the work. We worked closely with the client to ensure all capabilities and functionality met with their specifications. All programming for changes and additions are now done by the client. Total cost was in the region of $70,000, around 4% of the property's estimated value at today's prices.

Recent projects have also included country and outer Melbourne properties (around $45K and $100K respectively), once again involving C-Bus and extensive structured wiring. Current work involves an extensive retrofit in a Bayside area of Melbourne and involves HomeVision Pro, connection to an existing Networx alarm, plus entertainment network for Foxtel, distributed audio, a Home Theatre with 7.1 audio and automated powerline carrier lighting.

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