On 11/05/2010 09:48 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
Doug Winterburn wrote:



Suggestion: structured wiring.

http://www.swhowto.com/


Structured wiring has a different definition than what he states on his web
site Doug. Structured wiring has been around a long time, and it's more
about standardizing color assignments, than it is about simply combining all
the wiring in your house and treating it as one wiring system. In fact,
that definition could be said to stand in conflict with the principles of a
structured wiring scheme. That said - he's got some good ideas and his
intent is well based.

I'd forgo the now outdated runs of CAT-anything and go wireless for internet
stuff. I have structured phone wiring in my house with a split 60 in the
basement, and while it was reasonably professional when it was installed,
it's almost useless now, since we've gone so much to wireless phones.
Likewise with all the CAT-5E I installed for the computers. I think I might
have 2 jacks in use today. Oh well - it was good at the time, but there are
better ways today.

Structured wiring will benefit everyone though in that it enforces
disciplines that pay off. Concepts like home runs, color assignments, etc.
that will facilitate troubleshooting later on down the road, and will pay
off with lessend issues of signal loss, crosstalk, etc.

So - I fundamentally agree with your post, but of course, I can't let that
stand in the way of a little disagreement...


I disagree. Structured wiring is all about combining all non AC power
into a central wiring panel and distribution using a star topology.
Naturally, observing color code standards is a given. It is also an
attempt to future-proof a building.

CAT5/CAT6 can be used for many things other than ethernet - such as hdmi
over cat5.

http://www.structuredhomewiring.com/

- Doug