Hi all,

I will be moving into a double storey (built) property in the next couple of weeks and I would like to get a number of data points implemented with CAT6 cabling. I have the building plans which includes the electrical plans. I'd like to bounce some ideas off the forum to see what your thoughts are.

At a high level, I am planning to place my network rack/cabinet in the garage. I have roughly sketched the network design on paper (will transfer it to Visio later
Plans:
Plan 1 - http://tinyurl.com/7as48wp
Plan 2 - http://tinyurl.com/7v2qehh
Plan 3 - http://tinyurl.com/6vj2xox

In Plan 3, i've marked in red the data points placements. Bed 2, 4 & WIL are accessible from the elevated roof cavity from the lower floor.

In addition to the data points which I've marked, I am looking for suggestions as to where I can place 1 or 2 data point(s) around the Kitchen area & the first floor for the purpose of putting a Wireless AP (WAP) at each location. Where possible, my design is based on cabling on the external double brick wall rather than internal walls. The roof is colorbond.

As I will be supplying my own rack, I am keen to get an idea in terms of pricing for this work including the cost of supplying the wall plates, cabling, patch panel etc. Breakdown of costs would be good. I am located in WA (SoR).

The areas which I've highligted green are some additional GPOs which I'd like put in.

Some additional extras I am thinking of:
- FTA TV point in all the BED 1 and possibly all the other BEDROOMS;
- Speaker points (x2 in front and x2 at the back of the Home Theatre) to minimise on the carpet cable run for rear speakers; and
- Speaker points (x2 in Alfresco area).
- Data point in the alfresco (x2)

Thoughts?

Hello,

Its good to see that you are allowing a GOOD amount of data cables at the marked locations... This will allow you ALOT of flexibility later on.. especially with multi room video set-ups, and future entertainment needs.

There are a couple of things i would have a look at:

BED 1.. i think you have gone overboard in here with the amount of data cables.. ( 4 @ each side of the bedhead AND 4 at the tv location... i would suggest keeping the 4 at the tv location, and either having 1 either side of the bed or just 2 on one side.. ) Unless you have a specific use for this room other than a bedroom, i would delete some cables from here.

Theatre... Are you running a projector in here ( make sure you think about running a hdmi cable and a couple of cat5/6 from the amp to the projector )

WIL... you could also cut down on the data points here to 2 ( again unless there is something specific you had in mind for this area..

RACK... i would look at locating this under the stairs in the store room.. you will get dust and insect problems in there,there is more security under the stairs, and the cable runs will be shorter.. on the upside there is great ventilation in the garage..

regarding the tv points... i would DEF consider having them in these locations:
bed 1
home theatre
alfresco ( its getting quite common here now )
other beds as a mabey... ( you have to ask yourself are you going to install tvs in your childrens bedrooms?? ) most people say no.. so you could future proof by running the cables and not fitting the points off untill later, or leave them out to save some $$
make sure you run these back to the central cabnet!!
speaker points - A MUST... theatre DEFINATELY ( dont forget about the subwoofer and centre speaker if it is to be wall mounted ) and alfresco... DEFINATELY ( if you are planning on using an amp with 2 x zones then run the alfresco speakers back to the theatre and run them off the amp. )
with the alfresco... ALSO look at running a cat-5 on the wall for infa red distribution.. that way you can control the amp thats running the speakers remotely without having to run inside to change sources etc etc.. )

i hope this helped

chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your response.



I am planning to use this as the office and therefore have allowed for the additional data points.



Not too sure if I will mount a projector at this point.



The ventilation was one of the factors I took into consideration when listing down garage as the possible solution. Though under the stairs certainly is a viable option which I will now consider. I'm just conscious of the complexity of the cabling run if its under the stairs. If it was in the garage, the cable could go up into the roof (accessible via manhole) and the cavity will allow access to the wall of the higher floor (only on certain sides).



Will keep that in mind! Cheers.

Any ideas in terms of ballpark cost to get all this done?

Hello,

Being in perth is a different kettle of fish.. most of the building there is double brick which takes alot longer than standard brick veneer building practices.. as there is chasing etc etc

I complete jobs on a per point basis, however if i were to do a double brick insallation it would be labout + parts.

i can give you a rough per point price if that helps, but it may not even come close to what someone would charge in WA.

chris