I’m really not sure what section to put this post in so mods feel free to re-direct.
I’m building a new home in Canada and currently have open walls, so I have the opportunity to add whatever wiring infrastructure I want. I’m looking for recommendations beyond the following which I’ve already planned:
ethernet from [TVs, wifi APs, PC locations] to IT closet
POE to outdoor security cams
low-voltage power supply cabling to floor/ceiling vents
conduit to later pull irrigation control lines into IT closet
My goals are for
no devices that are battery-operated (battery backup is fine)
minimal wireless-dependent devices (wifi fallback is fine)
I’m especially concerned with lighting. In my former (1950s era) home I retrofitted it with Zwave (controlled via Homesassistant) but was frustrated by occasional node dropouts and network health issues. I’d be really interested if there’s something wired-based like KNX, but I’d like it to be:
Easy to buy for homeowners (I don’t want to hire an integrator) and
Non-proprietary (I don’t want to be locked in to a manufacturer)
There’s no excuse for a wired system to cost more than wireless beyond the cabling cost.
I’m looking for suggestions on infrastructure to provide for
blinds control
door strike/lock
doorbell
garage-opener
bathroom humidity sensor
presence detection (motion sensing)
I don’t have specific products selected for these yet, so if reasonably possible I’d like to lay infrastructure that gives me a lot of choice to later select devices. If you think it’s really important to select a specific product now and tailor infrastructure to it, versus running something generic like POE and select product later, that’s valuable to know.
Well, Knx is quite good for blinds, lights (to some extend), heating, presence and door/window contacts. You don’t need an integrator if you are willing to get an ETS license (and put up with it). It will probably be more expensive than some zwave gear from AliExpress or proprietary / manufacturer specific stuff.
Thanks. I don’t mind paying a bit more for something like KNX but I had the impression it was multiple times more expensive and also very hard to source products in North America.
An option may be to run the wiring for KNX and re-use all my Zwave devices for now… replace devices later.
Okay, you want it wired. I get that, especially when the walls are open. Go for KNX, don’t go for DigitalSTROM, as it will lock you in.
But have a look a the Thread, the wireless protocol for Matter. This eliminates most of the Zigbee disadvantages you experienced.
If you in invest in a good WiFi network ( Unify from Ubiquity) With enough Access Points that can handle enough clients each, also have a look at Shelly. They work on Wifi but will move to Thread. As well. Future proof. They deliver complete switch/pulse units with a Shelly, very easy to build in, even in shallow wallsockets.
Make sure all your power outlets, including lights, always have all 3 wires: L N and Earth. Make each room a separate switch in your switchboard power cabinet. And of course go for deep wall sockets where ever possible.
Make each room a separate switch in your switchboard power cabinet
In other words, a separate circuit on the breaker panel to each room? Is there a reason other than for nice organization?
Thanks for the other tips. I assumed modern wiring always runs 3 wires but maybe not I’m going to look more into KNX, I may have dismissed it too early.
In correct English, that’s what I meant, indeed .
Reason: when you go for wired, structure accordingly. Will come in hand with power/usage metering and control per room straight from your breakerpanel.
Just keep in mind that Knx will require totally different wiring Schema (eg. no mains, neutral, PE at all in switch outlets).
For lighting you may have a look at DALI as it is way cheaper than native Knx and integrates quite well with gateways. Also wiring is straightforward.
It is correct that KNX has different wiring schemes, but when you only stick to that, you will end up with a ‘wiring lock-in ‘ and will be for ever stuck with KNX.
To avoid ‘wiring lock-in ‘ , I suggested to make sure to have all three wires at every outlet/socket/central connection boxes and lighting point.
In Europe it is especially common to only draw a switch wire ( black) from a switchbutton with a fase wire only (Brown/red) to go to a lighting point where it will meet its neutral wire (blue).
When later on you want to connect powered (WiFi/zigbee/Thread) devices you will have a problem at both ends as the device will need fase and neutral.
I’d talk with an electrician first. At least in Europe you need to keep safety distance from mains and dismantled SELV wires (KNX) that can be hard to maintain in switch outlet housings.
It’s also way more cabling work that way as you can do Knx in free tree form independently of any mains device (light etc.) that should be controlled then. So you would just go from switchboard switch to switch… (or presence detector etc). And every mains device would go straight to the breaker cabinet. (Except for DALI where you can, again, go from light to light independently of rooms).
I’m going to look more into KNX, I may have dismissed it too early.
.