Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design Re: Home Automation 15Apr 29, 2019 12:27 pm Agree here, but, unfortunately, this is way it works. People will be rather spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on 'premium' lights/audio/video and good looking tiles and then complaining why they houses are falling apart in 10-15 years time (if they are have not moved out from those houses by then). Re: Home Automation 16Apr 29, 2019 1:12 pm My Grandad really liked those switches that were on the ceiling with a cord dangling down. Thought they were the bees-knees, they were. Used to get the neighbours in to admire them. Ah, those were the days, eh. Re: Home Automation 17Jun 09, 2019 6:16 pm alexp79 Good for you, Magnus, that you have extra $150K to throw out on your lights/audio/visual while building a project home from one of the cheapest builders in the country. I am planning to spend less than 1/10 of your amount on my lights/audio/visuals, but, arguably, will be still getting much more functional, robust and configurable system. Yes, may be built from "no-name china crap" components (which are generally built from the same set of components produced by the world leading IC manufacturers and use software APIs written by Google or Apple), although emerging "no-name chinese crap" brands like Xaomi can probably afford to buyout the likes of Control4 and Creston with their pocket money. And yes, today's "premium" can easily become tomorrow's "relic", we have seen happening this many many times already. Just my 2 cents. Hi Alexp - May I ask what system, products, configuration are you going for and from where are you sourcing and what you think you will be hit up for.? Re: Home Automation 18Jun 09, 2019 8:35 pm alexp79 Not exactly. There is no need for data cable as most of the modern smart lightings are Wi-Fi based those days (even Z Wave is almost completely gone). In fact, in some cases, you do not even require to install wiring for the light switches at all as tons of "wireless" proxy switches are already widely available on the market (they send radio signal to a special module which can be placed in the ceiling space near your lights, you can move this switch into any position you like as it can be attached to the wall with just a two sided sticky tape). With modern Wi-Fi mesh systems providing uninterrupted coverage even for the largest homes, cabled smart home systems become "dinosaurs" - extremely labour intensive and costly, hard to change/update/re-configure, do not support "industry standard" IFTTT smart home platforms such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. I would only keep data cables/Cat6 for some data intensive streaming connections such as high data throughput television, but even here things are very likely to change dramatically over the next couple of years e.g. with the introduction of 5G based 28 GHz wireless networks. You can always ask the builder not to install some of the light switches/dimmers and use your own electrician to install Wi-Fi enabled smart switches post handover. >>(even Z Wave is almost completely gone). Interesting. What do you see as replacing Z-Wave? Re: Home Automation 19Jun 10, 2019 11:21 am I am looking personally considering Wi-Fi based systems (Google Home/Amazon Alexa compatible) smart light switches and outlets for my home. There many interesting brands out there right now, even Clipsal has some (but uber expensive in Australia). Re: Home Automation 20Jun 10, 2019 6:01 pm alexp79 I am looking personally considering Wi-Fi based systems (Google Home/Amazon Alexa compatible) smart light switches and outlets for my home. There many interesting brands out there right now, even Clipsal has some (but uber expensive in Australia). Having gone that route, I can recommend it...provided support is available for the things you want to control. Blinds are very light on in Australia, but lights, locks, plugs, music can work really well. Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board 2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it… 1 28813 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16275 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10629 |