electrical wiring for new homes
#1
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electrical wiring for new homes
Hi guys,
I purchased a soon to be built home (2400sqft)and have the structural appointment soon. I have no clue regarding the wiring and other electrical aspects. So I will have an electric oven, fridge, micro, DW, exhaust on top of the oven, washer and dryer, cable, phone, internet. All the basic things. I also want a security system preferably self monitored. What will I need guys. I mean I am planning to go with a 200AMP coz the house will come with a whirpool tub, central vac etc. Anyways, my major issue is that, I dont want lot of cable wires all around the tv or of the telephone and internet. For TV I just want to plug it into the socket and I should get the cable connection provided the cable tv guys can feed their stuff into my house by not having to pull the wires into the house. Instead they can have it in the garage or outside (first off, is there a system like what I am talking about. I mean we were living in condo and didnt need cable wires. We just plugged our tv in and voila we had the cable connection. How can that work with a single home. I also plan to install some cameras in and around the house (just couplke outside and maybe 1 or 2 inside). I dont know, I am typing in whatever I feel like I need. I am not sure if this is possible and also how to go about doing this. A lot of this could be stupid. I am sorry about that. WIsh I learnt a few of this stuff. new respect for all the guys who knows this. Thanks for your help guys. Cheers!!
I purchased a soon to be built home (2400sqft)and have the structural appointment soon. I have no clue regarding the wiring and other electrical aspects. So I will have an electric oven, fridge, micro, DW, exhaust on top of the oven, washer and dryer, cable, phone, internet. All the basic things. I also want a security system preferably self monitored. What will I need guys. I mean I am planning to go with a 200AMP coz the house will come with a whirpool tub, central vac etc. Anyways, my major issue is that, I dont want lot of cable wires all around the tv or of the telephone and internet. For TV I just want to plug it into the socket and I should get the cable connection provided the cable tv guys can feed their stuff into my house by not having to pull the wires into the house. Instead they can have it in the garage or outside (first off, is there a system like what I am talking about. I mean we were living in condo and didnt need cable wires. We just plugged our tv in and voila we had the cable connection. How can that work with a single home. I also plan to install some cameras in and around the house (just couplke outside and maybe 1 or 2 inside). I dont know, I am typing in whatever I feel like I need. I am not sure if this is possible and also how to go about doing this. A lot of this could be stupid. I am sorry about that. WIsh I learnt a few of this stuff. new respect for all the guys who knows this. Thanks for your help guys. Cheers!!
#2
Welcome to the forums! I am assuming you have a general contractor. You should sit down with him/her and go over all the must have items, such as your security system, etc. There may be higher need items that he will have to compensate for when wiring the house, such as a hot tub.
Most general contractors have the electrical stuff pretty down pat. Remember yours is not the first one they built.....hopefully They will need your input as to which rooms and which walls you will want your cable, whether or not your fireplace will have a TV connection over it, things like that.
It is good that you are at this stage and are asking questions. Too often people ask "how do I add this", once it is built. For instance, in a garage, where there will be a possible workbench....I put in at least 6 receptacles on the wall at 48" high. They cost less than a dollar now, but will cost hundreds to have someone come in and do it after it is all sheetrocked and finished.
As I clicked my post button, I noted your salutation. Your profile isn't complete so we don't know where you live. Are you in the UK or Australia??
Most general contractors have the electrical stuff pretty down pat. Remember yours is not the first one they built.....hopefully They will need your input as to which rooms and which walls you will want your cable, whether or not your fireplace will have a TV connection over it, things like that.
It is good that you are at this stage and are asking questions. Too often people ask "how do I add this", once it is built. For instance, in a garage, where there will be a possible workbench....I put in at least 6 receptacles on the wall at 48" high. They cost less than a dollar now, but will cost hundreds to have someone come in and do it after it is all sheetrocked and finished.
As I clicked my post button, I noted your salutation. Your profile isn't complete so we don't know where you live. Are you in the UK or Australia??
#3
I think you should make yourself a list that you'll want to review when you sit down with the general contractor about all the details in your new home. I'd ask about the heating, air conditioning, water heating systems and smoke detecters too. Be prepared to provide locations of all telephones, TVs and internet facilities. Most seem to be going with a wireless server these days, but this is just something else to put on your list.
#4
Good catch Larry.... the OP is from the UK.
You're in the perfect position to get everything you want installed now. You do have to be reasonable. I'm sure you're on a budget and this extra wiring and "future stuff" although not terribly expensive.... can blow the budget. Get it ironed out in-writing ahead of time.
Cheers.
You're in the perfect position to get everything you want installed now. You do have to be reasonable. I'm sure you're on a budget and this extra wiring and "future stuff" although not terribly expensive.... can blow the budget. Get it ironed out in-writing ahead of time.
Cheers.
#5
Forum Topic Moderator
Think about what exactly you want to install, and as others have said, talk to the contractor.
- Do you want a wall-mounted TV or floor/table standing? Normal sized or humongous?
- Do you want Cable TV in every room? Every bedroom? Just certain rooms?
- Do you want network/Internet in every room? Or is wireless good enough?
- Telephones in every room? Wall mount, plugs on the walls? Or will you use cordless phones?
- Make sure there's an area in the garage/utility room that all the network/tv/etc. terminates. It should be a reasonably sized area. They have 'Structured Wiring' boxes that make it all look pretty, but in my opinion, it's extra cost that you don't really need - since you're not really going to be showing off your utility room.
- When you get the electrical drawings, go through room by room and picture or sketch where the bed will go, where the nightstands/bookcases/etc. will go, and where you might want a lamp, switch, appliance, TV, etc. Make sure you have a receptacle there. US code states a receptacle every 12' of wall space (I assume it's similar where you are)... but I know with the electrical devices I have in my house, there's rarely a receptacle right where I need it.
Don't be afraid to ask about costs. If he suggests 10 Cable TV outlets, ask him how much each one costs (approximately). If it's $20, it's probably worth adding a few extra. If it's $200, you may want to skimp a bit. Make sure your money is being spent on things you want it spent on.
Most of all - good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any specific questions!
- Do you want a wall-mounted TV or floor/table standing? Normal sized or humongous?
- Do you want Cable TV in every room? Every bedroom? Just certain rooms?
- Do you want network/Internet in every room? Or is wireless good enough?
- Telephones in every room? Wall mount, plugs on the walls? Or will you use cordless phones?
- Make sure there's an area in the garage/utility room that all the network/tv/etc. terminates. It should be a reasonably sized area. They have 'Structured Wiring' boxes that make it all look pretty, but in my opinion, it's extra cost that you don't really need - since you're not really going to be showing off your utility room.
- When you get the electrical drawings, go through room by room and picture or sketch where the bed will go, where the nightstands/bookcases/etc. will go, and where you might want a lamp, switch, appliance, TV, etc. Make sure you have a receptacle there. US code states a receptacle every 12' of wall space (I assume it's similar where you are)... but I know with the electrical devices I have in my house, there's rarely a receptacle right where I need it.
Don't be afraid to ask about costs. If he suggests 10 Cable TV outlets, ask him how much each one costs (approximately). If it's $20, it's probably worth adding a few extra. If it's $200, you may want to skimp a bit. Make sure your money is being spent on things you want it spent on.
Most of all - good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any specific questions!