More detailed notes are at the bottom of this page.

Level 4 West	Level 3 West	Key
Level 3 East
Level 2 East
Level 1 East

Notes:

• Conduit Access
  • Conduit is 2" diameter pipe (PVC?) that runs between the conduit access points shown above.  At each access point is a cover (e.g. an octagon box blank plate).  Since access points may be ugly, it makes sense to hide them: under furniture, within closets, etc.  (If e.g. a new type of data outlet needs to be installed in the future, drywall etc. will likely need to be cut, but hopefully only a small amount near a conduit access point.)
  • Purpose of conduit:
    • allow for future types of wiring (e.g. digital video);
    • provide a way to add CAT5, telephone, etc. wiring to locations that won't initially have such wiring--this way we don't have to wire every location (e.g. garage) with every type of cable on the off-chance that it might be needed some day.
  • Conduit should have minimum number of bends, to allow for types of cable (e.g. coax, fiber-optic) that don't accept bends easily.  In the diagram above, lines are drawn between access points to suggest possible straight-line routes.
  • Each conduit must have a pair of nylon ropes run through them, fixed at each end.  A new wire is installe by tying it to a rope and pulling it through.   The second rope is a backup.

• Intercom -- Obsolete: Replaced by Telephone System
  • The intercom allows for communication between each of the zones shown above.  Ideally, each intercom unit can connect to any other intercom unit; if that's not feasible, locate the master unit on the phone desk in the kitchen.
  • May also want an intercom at the front door (camera too?).

• Network CAT5
  • Provides a 100baseT ethernet connection for computers.
  • Wired into the wall using a standard outlet.  In many cases, a single outlet plate can include 100baseT, telephone, and/or video outlets.

• Passive IR
  • Detects the presence of a person walking in the vicinity of the detector.
  • Used by the security system and/or the home automation system.

• Speaker
  • The purpose of the A/V system is to allow the central A/V resources (VCR, DVD, CD changer, etc.) to be used from any room.  TBD: how to select an audio source from a specific room.
  • Audio speakers are available throughout the house.  There are generally three categories of speaker sets:
    • speakers with full surround sound capability, for use with video equipment (currently only planned for the living room);
    • stereo speakers near TV for other video locations (e.g. music/game room, bedrooms)--these may be replaced by just using the TV's speakers;
    • wall speakers for background music (e.g. music/game room, deck, patio).
  • Speakers should be wall-mounted (for a cleaner look, and to avoid clutter).
  • The living room video sound system should include a full "home theater" audio system.
  • The exercise/storage room should have the option of a plug for headphones to override the speakers.

• Telephone
  • In addition to regular phone/fax/modem usage, phone lines are made available near each TV, for use by WebTV, DirecTV, etc.
  • 2 phone lines should be available at each location.  ADSL should be on a third line, which only needs to be available in the A/V closet (which serves as the "home run" room).

• Video
  • The purpose of the A/V system is to allow the central A/V resources (VCR, DVD, CD changer, etc.) to be used from any room.  TBD: how to select an audio source from a specific room.
  • Video distribution method is TBD, but at the very least it's reasonable to assume we'll need coax cable running to an outlet beside each TV.

• IR Distribution (not shown above)
  • This provides a way to feed infrared remote control signals from the following rooms back to the A/V closet:
    • Music/Game Room
    • Office
    • Master Bedroom
    • Exercise/Storage Room
    • Living Room
    • Guest Rooms
  • In each of these rooms, the IR receiver is installed in a light switch plate.
  • The living room contains an additional IR receiver beside the TV.   (May want to consider additional IR receivers beside each TV, since it's natural to point a remote control to a TV to control it.)

• Satellite PC
  • A "satellite PC" is a compact PC used to control some aspect of the home automation system, and to provide a place to plug in a tough screen.   (Long-term, satellite PCs shouldn't be required, but universal "home networking" won't be available for a while...)
  • Each satellite PC connects to a central home automation server.
  • Update: if Phast is used, fewer satellite PCs are needed.

• KVM
  • KVM is keyboard/video/mouse cable, used to allow a computer in one location to be accessed from another location.  Example: see www.raritan.com.
  • Run long-distance KVM cable from the office to mechanical room, so Phast PC can be accessed from the office.  (This is required since Phast doesn't allow for remote control over the network.)

• Other
  • Doorbell button wire should be home-run to the mechanical room, so it can be connected to the automation system.  Same for the intercom at the door.
  • Run long-distance KVM cable from the office to mechanical room, so Phast PC can be accessed from the office.  (This is required since Phast doesn't allow for remote control over the network.)