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Structured Wiring
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Educating the consumer on structured wiring and its value for
today and the future:
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With home building at
an all time high and all the technology constantly on
the move how does the consumer make the right choice
when buying a home? There are many things to consider
when buying a home, for most consumers the last thing on
their mind is what type of technologies can the home
support. This is a major issue that the consumer needs
to be educated on. People don’t realize their
limitations of the cabling installed in their home until
it is time to use it. At this point it is too late, the
home is complete and the damage is done. The damage I am
referring to is the damage to the consumers’ pocket.
Installing structured wiring to the home after it is
complete cost three to five times more than it would
have to install it during construction.
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What is structured wiring? Structured wiring is a centrally
located box to which all the communications cabling runs to. It
contains the modules for the different services supplied to the
home (phone, internet, satellite etc.). Each room has at least
one bundle containing two RG6 coax cable and two category 5, 5e,
5plus or 6 cables. This method ensures two way communications
throughout the entire home, making it possible to assign any
location to what ever the home owner desires. Whether it be a
modem, fax machine or telephone connection, a cable, satellite
or antenna connection, it is as easy as plugging it in with
structured wiring.
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Why do I need structured wiring?
Think of it like this, the cabling throughout your home
is a pipeline of information connecting every room to
each other and to the outside world. In comparison,
standard wiring has the data capacity of a squirt gun
while structured wiring would be more like a fire hose.
Structured wiring has the ability to transmit more data
faster. Before answering this question consider some of
the items that you may want in your home like
televisions, telephones, audio/video equipment,
computers, modem/internet access, fax machine, cable
access, home theater, satellite dish, security system,
home automation and lighting control to name a few. All
of which can be linked together creating the connected
home but only if it contains structured wiring.
Structured wiring also adds value to the
home. Any home built today without structured wiring
will not support the technology of the future.
Therefore, they will not retain as much value as those
built with structured wiring. With the rapid growth of
new technologies, the changing working environment, home
education and entertainment opportunities, installing
structured wiring will increase the resale value of any
home. Homes that don’t contain structured wiring may not
even be considered by future homebuyers.
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Structured wiring is not to be taken lightly, only a certified
low voltage installer should install structured wiring. Most
people don’t realize that pulling low voltage signal cable
require completely different methods than other trades. Did you
know that an improperly installed data cable will greatly reduce
its rated specifications? Electrical wiring for example, can
withstand being bent and pulled on relatively hard while signal
cabling must be installed delicately, making sure it is not
stressed in any way. Structured wiring must be properly
installed in order to completely benefit from all of its
potential. Make sure the company installing your structured
wiring has the correct knowledge and certifications.
Some home builders have caught on and realize the benefits to
building technology homes and are installing structured wiring.
However, there are still many home builders that are using the
outdated standard method of wiring. I believe education on the
need and benefits of structured wiring will help the consumer
save money and keep them from purchasing a dinosaur.
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