Re: What Infrastruture? - newbie question

["Jonathan Shaw" <semi.jon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Seems I was a bit over zealous when I wired my current house then as
I definately wired a ring-of-roses, and I used 1.5mm but as it runs
through lots of loft insulation was happy that it would cope.


> A typical UK Lighting cct is not really a ring as it is typically a
single cable from the consumer unit connecting in series with each of
the roses. It would have to return to be a ring, as is the case with
UK socket 'ring' mains. UK lighting is run in 1.5mm which is capable
of carrying the 6A allowed by the MCB. The ring main for sockets is
wired in 2.5mm which is only good for 21A, it is closing the ring
that allows the cct to be protected at 32A as you effectively have 2
x 2.5mm to each point.
>





> As far as what system to go with you need to make a fundamental
decision, or allow for all types.
>

Yes it seems that I need to make a decision under time pressure and
in ignorance :-(  The house is empty (apart from builders etc) for
~10 weeks before my family move in.  After then an inquisitive 3yr
old will be testing the robustness of the new installation aided and
abetted by his siblings.  Hence my desire to just do the
infrastructure now.


> X-10 Power Line (No extra wiring)
> RF   (No extra Wiring)
> C-Bus / Helvar / DMX etc. (Cat5e type)
>
> DMX is something that could be very cost effective but is not
typically used in domestic houses so may be an issue for long term
amaintenance.
>
> C-Bus / Helvar and other commercial systems are expensive but you
can get maintenance contracts for their repair if you decide to move
on...
>
> HTH
>
> Nigel
>
> PS If you can hold off until the Smart Home show at Excel London
this September you would get a great over view of function/cost...
>

That is an exellent idea - I reckon I can just about defer a decision
until then and still complete on time.

Many thanks
Jon