Frequently Asked Questions About Home Automation
What is Home Automation?
Home Automation refers to subsystems in the home that can be controlled electronically. You most likely use some type of home automation on a daily basis. Garage door openers, motion sensitive lights, alarm/security systems and heating and air conditioning are examples of home automation.
What is an Integrated Home Automation System (IHAS)?
Integration is the key to better living through home automation. Home control subsystems that are not integrated have no means of intelligently responding to one another. Only through integration can your system allow communication among home automation technologies, such as lighting control, telephone, audio-visual intercommunications, surveillance cameras, door/window sensors, HVAC control, voice control, networked home computers, and home theater.
What is structured wiring?
Structured wiring is the foundation of home automation. Structured wiring includes cable selection and its installation.
We use combined cable that consists of six cables:
| 2 Fiber optic | |
| 2 Category-5 (Cat-5) | |
| 2 RG6 quadshielded coax |
Fiber optics is considered "future-proof." Fiber optics has wider bandwidth than any other available cable. More and more devices are moving toward the use of fiber optics. Communication systems for networks and telephones currently use fiber optics technology.
Cat-5 consists of 4 twisted-pair that is designed to keep interference low. One Cat-5 can carry up to 4 different telephone lines, computer networking, or cameras.
Coax can carry common video signals such as satellite, VCR, DVD, which is video-in, and cameras (video-out).
Our use of combined cable saves on the cost of pulling multiple cables and reduces the likelihood of damage to the cables, due to stretching.
Our installation approach assures the homeowner that integral walls in a room will have coverage. Correctly done installation involves a minimum of two home runs [cable running from a point in the house to a central location] in each room.
Why use structured wiring?
Staying ahead of emerging technologies means future-proofing your home automation system through the use of structured wiring. Structured wiring provides access to home automation technologies that are available now and to those that will be available in the future.
What are the benefits of an Integrated Home Automation System (IHAS)?
An Integrated Home Automation System offers convenience, control, increased security, and cost savings. Through the use of structured wiring to link home automation subsystems together you can have your home do the work for you
You will no longer need to worry about lights or appliances being left on, the garage door being left open, coming home to a dark house, forgetting to close the window shades, stumbling and fumbling in the dark, or watering when it’s raining or windy. An Integrated Home Automation System relieves you of the work and worry by offering:
| A lifestyle of convenience. Lighting can be choreographed with entry systems so when you open a door a specified lighting scenario turns on. Different lighting scenarios can be activated based on the time of day or other events. Electrical outlets can be turned off remotely. Window treatments can open and close based on any set of conditions (e.g. time of day, indoor temperature). The system can check if your garage door has been left open and close it for you. Pressure mats can be used to turn lights on when you get up in the middle of the night. |
| Global home security. Your home security/surveillance system can be remotely accessed and controlled by phone using the keypad or voice recognition and via the Internet. A channel can be designated for surveillance so that you can access it on any television and/or computer monitor (if you have the option) throughout your home. |
| Conservation of energy. Your sprinkler system can be controlled to water based on soil moisture levels, water usage, and weather conditions, rather than based on a schedule. When your security system is set to "away" mode your heating and cooling system and electrical outlets respond automatically to save on utilities. |
| Optimization of utilities. Programs can manage heating and cooling systems and electrical use to reduce utility costs. |
How should I approach the design of my Integrated Home Automation System?
Approach the design of your Integrated Home Automation System with a vision of the future. The design should be right for you today and tomorrow. A properly designed and integrated home control system should be capable of incorporating technologies that accommodate your lifestyle. You should always design for your wildest dreams but install what is practical for today.
Our custom design process begins with a blueprint of your home and a profile of your needs. Unique to our design approach is the use of structured wiring, our installation method, and incorporating your lifestyle into the design.
I am really interested, but a complete home automation system seems to be out of my price range. What can I do?
A "complete" home automation system does not need to be purchased and installed all at once. However, it is of the utmost importance that the structured wiring be correctly installed. Installation should be customized to reflect your lifestyle. (Retro-wiring a home for automation can be impossible and impractical.)
With your structured wiring in place, you can expand your system based on affordability. Think of an integrated home automation system as a modular system. Home automation subsystems can be added and integrated as desired.
Will a home automation system affect the plan/construction of my new home?
Structured wiring does not preclude the use of steel beams or prefab walls in the construction of your home. You should select a central location, referred to as the utility room, where your control devices reside and cabling terminates.
The utility room could simply be a closet or, preferably, a dedicated room. We suggest installing conduits from the upper rooms to the utility room for future purposes. In the future you may decide to pull additional cable.
When planning your new home, our Standard IHAS structured wiring and Basic IHAS system control package replace the following:
| Wiring for phone | |
| Wiring for cable TV | |
| Wiring for audio/visual | |
| Wiring for security system | |
| Purchase/installation of security system | |
| Purchase of thermostat | |
| Purchase of sprinkler controller |
Will I need to buy a computer if I have an Integrated Home Automation System?
No, you will not have to buy a computer if you have an Integrated Home Automation System.
Our system design uses an OmniPro controller as the "brain box" for integrated control of security/fire protection and all other automated home subsystems. It is far more practical to purchase an OmniPro that offers more than security monitoring than to purchase a separate alarm system that offers nothing more than monitoring. The homeowner can access OmniPro via the telephone, personal computer, and Internet to monitor and control subsystem settings. The system integrator can remotely access the system to update and modify any control program.
I’ve heard of "power line carrier device" but I’m not sure what it is. What is it?
Power line carrier device is a technology for controlling light switches and wall outlets in your house. By replacing your existing switches and/or wall outlets with power line carrier devices you can use existing wiring in your home to control the new switches and wall outlets. Your main computer can transmit a signal, over the existing wires, to the switch or outlet to turn lights and outlets on or off and to brighten or dim lights. The new switches can also be controlled manually at the switch.
What do System Integrators do?
A system integrator analyzes the requirements of the homeowner and selects the appropriate devices and control schemes needed to create an IHAS that works seamlessly and reliably. It is the system integrator’s responsibility to insure that all subsystems installed have been thoroughly tested and successfully communicate with one another. A system integrator is also responsible for maintaining the IHAS and making changes to the system based on changing needs and lifestyle of the homeowner.
Where can I find out more about Integrated Home Automation Systems?
Cyber Home Soultions Inc.
Email: Sales@cyberhomesolutions.com