Houses may require additional low voltage services such as:

• security and smoke detection systems
• voice and data distribution systems
• audio-visual distribution systems
• data systems
• home network systems
• bus lighting and power control systems
• smart house wiring systems.

Security and smoke detection systems

A basic smoke and intruder detection system consists of the following components:

Control panel to monitor and manage the system

• Locate in an accessible position where it cannot be tampered with, such as a communications distribution board.
• Wire using 1.0 mm2 two-core plus earth TPS supply connected to a MCB from the distribution board.
• Include Cat-5 communications cable to a phone point for dial-up access if required.

Keypads to control and programme the system

• Locate at a main access point into the house (e.g. garage or front door).
• Include an additional unit at the rear door and/or in the main bedroom if required.
• Wire to each keypad with 0.2 mm² six-core alarm cable from the control panel.
• Keypads use LED (light emitting diodes) or LCD (liquid crystal display). LCD displays system status in text, which may be more easily managed for many people.
• Keypad/wireless remotes may be installed at the main access points. Wire with a 0.2 mm² six-core alarm cable from the control panel. (Although some systems use four-core cable, six-core is recommended).

PIR (passive infrared detector) motion detectors (for intruder detection systems)

• Install at least four PIR sensors (main bedroom, lounge/living area, front entry and rear entry areas).
• Locate 2.4–2.7 metres above the floor.
• Locate in a corner to give full room coverage.
• Select a dual technology type that utilises both passive infrared and microwave to minimise false triggering.
• Do not aim at heaters, ducts, heat pumps, direct sunlight or cooking appliances.
• Wire to the PIR with four-core 0.2 mm² alarm cable. This will not allow for the PIR tamper circuit to be wired separately into the control panel, but most alarm panels allow for the tamper (a microswitch that detects if alarm wiring is tampered with)to be wired in on the same two cores as the PIR. It is closed circuit but in series with the end of line resistor.

Smoke detectors

• May have photoelectric smoke and thermal detection.
• Wired individually back to the panel, or looped in series or in two- or four-core 0.2 mm² cables, depending on the model.

If smoke alarms are incorporated into the security system, they do not require batteries to be changed. The New Zealand Fire Service recommends a smoke alarm installed in every bedroom, in living rooms and in hallways. A smoke detector should also be installed in the roof space, and heat detectors installed above the internal distribution board and in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.

Sirens and sounders

• Flush-mounted piezo (internal sounder) in open central area. If a second is required, install in garage or upstairs area.
• Wire in two- or four-core 0.2 mm2 alarm cable back to the control panel.
• Install external siren in visible location with good view of the road, driveway and neighbours.
• Wire with six-core 0.2 mm2 alarm cable, which allows for a separate tamper circuit to be wired into the control panel.

External monitoring

• Typically dial-up to designated cellphone(s) to alert owners that the alarm has been activated.
• Ensure the alarm panel is the first connection after the demarcation point (i.e. where the telephone supplier wiring finishes and the owner’s responsibility starts), or the line may easily be disabled by lifting a phone receiver.

Possible additional components to identify a security breach

• Glass-break detectors that detect noise and impact of a window breaking.
• Magnetic contacts that allow doors and windows to be opened but prevent break-in. Garage and external doors may be equipped with roller shutter contacts.
• Dwelling perimeter protection for the house alarm system to be programmed in separate areas.
• Section perimeter detection for external perimeter beams for section surveillance.
• Heat detectors designed to detect temperature rise. Install in areas such as kitchens where smoke is often present and fire risk high.
• Panic switches with a silent alarm and that will ring the monitoring company.
• Electronic access control to limit access only to those with the correct code, card or remote wireless key/tag.
• Video security or closed circuit television (CCTV) is typically used where there are common entry driveways or foyers for apartments.
• Alarm-controlled home automation systems have external devices to control via a remote telephone connection or a programmed time control. (Devices may also control hot water heating, space heating, lighting, curtain opening/closing and a garden watering system.)
• Monitoring by a monitoring company, which calls the owner to determine if a response from a security guard is required. If no one answers the phone, a guard will be dispatched by the monitoring company.

Voice and data distribution systems

Most domestic installations can support up to four incoming telephone/fax lines. Each incoming line can be distributed to up to four locations and can be expanded in groups of four lines.

Voice and data patch panels may feature a soft patching facility for voice, alarm, fax and data distribution within the house. Use enhanced Cat-5 patch leads when wiring theses circuits.

Install a phone point adjacent to the TV decoder position.

Audio-visual distribution systems

There are many audio-visual distribution systems available on the market today. Options available are constantly changing and progressing; each will have specific design points, types of cables, position of speakers, projectors and screens and so on.

Video distribution hubs typically have the facility for up to three external RF inputs including free-to-air, cable/satellite and modulator inputs. They are generally able to support infrared transmission throughput, superimposed on the video coaxial cable, which allows for any TV to view any available network signal, including DVDs. The unit band width should be in a range from 40 MHz to 2.1 GHz.

Video modulators are required where third party audio-visual signals such as DVD, VCR, satellite or cable TV signals are distributed via the video distribution hub. These need a band width in a range from 40 MHz to 820 MHz.

Data systems

A range of options are available.

A basic system, typically consists of:

• a router at the main computer or a wireless link to laptops and other computers
• a common or shared printer
• a phone jack adjacent to the main computer.

Alternatively, a router may be installed in a communications distribution board.

Wire a Cat-5E and RJ45 circuit with outlets from the router to each computer location and the printer location.

Wire a supply cable from the telephone line into the router to the supply cable, ADSL (broadband) or a dial-up connection for network connection to the internet.

A data hub may be used to network the devices such as computers, printers and scanners, using an eight-port device with an uplink facility.

A comprehensive data system typically consists of:

• a patch panel located within a communications distribution board
• hard wiring from the distribution board to all the data network or LAN (local area network) points including to the printer position, using Cat-5e or Cat-6 cable, and connecting to RJ45 outlets (available for both Cat-5E and Cat-6 cabling systems)
• hard wiring from the distribution board to all phone point locations including the alarm controller, using Cat-5e or Cat-6 cable.

Some domestic patch panels have an alarm panel connection that automatically connects to the alarm panel before connecting to any phone.

Home network systems

A cabling system may be installed via a communications distribution board, for the distribution of:

• home LAN (local area network)
• voice (telephone)
• satellite, cable and free-to-air TV systems.

The system:

• requires tri- or quad-shield coaxial cable for satellite/TV distribution
• requires F-type connectors with a bandwidth of 2.1 GHz wired to all outlets – it is best to confirm any specific cable requirements with the system supplier
• should be located centrally and, if possible, in a lockable cupboard with ducting to roof and underfloor spaces for the wiring.

There are many proprietary communications distribution boards and systems on the market. Most have a modular system for the addition of patch panels and power supplies and generally incorporate infrared (IR) control for remote players.

Bus lighting and power control systems

A bus lighting and power control system allows control and monitoring of:

• switching and dimming of lights – most systems are capable of dimming both fluorescent and incandescent loads
• split-system air conditioning units – most systems can support fan speed, mode and temperature adjustment
• power points – some power points may have timed or remote dial-in control to perform a range of control tasks
• hot water – the on/off switching and water temperature may be controlled remotely via phone or internet
• pumps, motors and irrigation may be controlled remotely or via timed settings
• motorised blinds may be controlled remotely or via a daylight switch
• automatic gates – most systems are able to integrate the residential gateway controller with the home automation and security system.

Most systems include a network of input and output units, each with a microprocessor built into the control device. Output units typically include a bypass feature to allow them to be manually over-ridden in the event of a device or system failure. Systems typically have a number of infrared remote control devices to remotely control different areas of the house.

Smart house wiring systems

‘Smart houses’ usually feature a monitored security system and an intelligent lighting control (such as scene control, occupancy sensors for energy savings, and dimmer facilities) and may include a structured wiring system for data, telephone and audio-visual distribution. They may also be connected to the internet to enable control and monitoring, including access to video camera output from a web browser anywhere in the world, of the home’s electrical and security systems.

Benefits of a fully integrated wiring system include enhanced security, automatic lighting control, energy savings and automation of irrigation, curtains, heating and cooling.