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Building a new home is an exciting process. You are able to design spaces that function for your family. Certain aspects of construction can wait until the walls are up, such as paint and floors; other aspects cannot wait, such as pre-wiring for smart home automation.

Today’s smart homes have many devices that need to be enabled through low voltage wiring. Often planning for low voltage wiring gets overlooked in new construction projects. Having a foundational pre-wiring plan will avoid unexpected compromises between the homeowner and your builder.

Think about all the devices that might be included in a smart home automation system:

• Lighting control systems
• Alarm systems and doorbells
• Smart appliances
• Thermostats
• Security cameras inside and outside the house
• Multiple access points for seamless wi-fi networking
• Uncompromised placement for speakers for high-quality audio everywhere
• Wired network connections for high-performance computers and video distribution
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Water intrusion sensors
• Garage door openers

This is a long list of items to integrate and goes far beyond just the electrical plan. There may need to be conduit placement for all the low voltage wiring. The infrastructure on which low voltage wiring operates is called structured cabling. A structured wiring system is built on a separate network from most of a home’s wiring. In most cases, the home’s main electrical system is installed first, followed by the low voltage wiring, before the drywall phase is completed.
Don’t just set up your wires around the house with no clear plan of what they will be powering and where the devices will be located. Sit down with an expert first to choose your new devices and draw up a plan for your smart home automation, then it will be time to install the wires.

Building a smart home requires plenty of work, especially when planning where to install the low-voltage wiring that automation will require. In the end, it’s all worth it! A fully automated home will make your life so much easier and enjoyable.

Amplex Technology Services offers a wide range of technology services and solutions for homes and businesses throughout Southwest Florida. We provide on-site consultations at your home, office, boat, or RV! To get started, contact us for your free on-site estimate.