Smart home technologies make our lives easier and also give us energy savings and security. But for these systems to work efficiently, a strong and modern electrical infrastructure is essential. In this article we cover the preparation your installation needs when planning a move to a smart home.
At the base of smart home systems are wireless communication and automation. Smart bulbs, thermostats, security cameras, door locks and sensors communicate over Wi-Fi or the Zigbee protocol. For these devices to work without interruption they need a stable electrical supply.
If you want to use smart switches and dimmers in your existing installation, the switch boxes need a neutral wire. In older buildings, no neutral may have been run to the switch box. In that case extra cable must be laid for the neutral. In new buildings this problem usually does not exist.
If you want to set up an energy monitoring system, a smart energy meter can be fitted in the distribution board. These devices measure the instantaneous consumption of each line and show which device uses how much electricity. In this way you can spot unnecessary consumption and save.
Smart plugs and relay systems offer remote control. You can switch your devices on and off from your phone or with a voice assistant. But pay attention to the load these plugs can carry. For high-power devices choose smart switches with a suitable amperage.
Security cameras and alarm systems need power all the time. A separate, protected line is recommended for these devices. To keep the cameras running in a power cut, a small UPS system can be added.
Think about the future when building a smart home infrastructure. Leaving conduit in the walls, planning enough socket points and building a strong Wi-Fi infrastructure greatly lower the cost of later changes. Getting a smart home compatibility report from a professional electrical engineer is a good start.
