Low-voltage systems in a house: internet, Wi-Fi, intercom, cameras

Low-voltage systems in a house: what they include

Low-voltage systems in a house are all the networks that carry signals rather than power: internet and Wi-Fi, television, intercom, CCTV, alarms, smart home sensors, music. Their cables are easiest to lay together with the electrics, before plastering. Later every new camera or Wi-Fi point has to be run along the walls or made wireless, which works worse.

The data cabinet

All cables meet in one cabinet: the provider's internet comes in there, and it houses the router, a switch that powers cameras and access points, a patch panel, the CCTV recorder and an uninterruptible power supply. We put the cabinet in the plant room or a store room where it is dry and ventilated, not in a wardrobe full of clothes. Every cable is labelled at both ends, and the diagram is kept in the cabinet. Years later, when you change provider or add a camera, a technician will sort it out in minutes instead of tracing lines all over the house.

Internet and Wi-Fi without dead zones

One router in a corner will not cover two floors with concrete slabs, and repeaters cut the speed. So we run a cable to every room with a TV or a workplace, and distribute Wi-Fi through ceiling access points, one per floor or zone. The access points work as one network, and a phone switches between them seamlessly. For the terrace, pool and gazebo we fit an outdoor access point.

• a network socket by the TV, workplace and games console;
• a cable to the ceiling for an access point on every floor;
• cables to camera, intercom and gate positions;
• ducts with spare capacity from the cabinet to each floor and outdoors;
• a place for the provider's fibre entry.

Intercom and gates

A video intercom with a door station at the gate is connected to the gate lock and, if needed, to the gate automation. The call goes to a monitor in the house and to your phone, so you can let in a courier or guests from anywhere. Cameras on the plot and in the house are described on the CCTV and alarms page.

How we lay the cables

Low-voltage cables run separately from power cables to avoid interference, and cross them at right angles. We use network cable of at least category 6, and outdoor-rated cable in a duct outside. A draw wire is left in ducts for future cables. After installation every line is tested and labelled. If you plan lighting, climate and gate automation, cables to sensors and the panel are laid straight away, see the smart home page.

Power during outages

The router, switch, recorder and intercom are connected to an uninterruptible power supply in the cabinet. Then cameras keep recording during a power cut and the house stays online. For long outages the cabinet is connected to the house's main backup power.

How much low-voltage systems cost

A network socket with a cable to the cabinet costs from 110 ₾. A data cabinet with router, switch, patch panel, UPS and assembly from 2 100 ₾, a Wi-Fi access point with cabling and set-up from 570 ₾. A video intercom with door station and gate lock from 1 920 ₾, an IP camera with cabling and set-up from 660 ₾, a smart home hub and scenario set-up from 570 ₾. The provider's internet connection is paid separately. The final cost is set after the point layout and an agreed estimate.