How To Wire A Smart Home, A look at the top wiring trends of 2021

[@robertrosenberg]

I watched the original of this video 10 times before wiring my home. Thank you so much for all your help

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

So glad it helped! Thx for the support

[@OrlandoAyala]

Great video! I would also recommend a 14/2 or 12/2 for subwoofers in main outdoor areas. Nothing like some boom when your rocking out in the pool.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

@@OrlandoAyala absolutely, especially in landscape setups the higher gauge wire pays off big time

[@wesleymoore8011]

😂007😊5th is =?? A, BY 5G2ĤH😂556rt❤❤❤😂😂 .🎉😢​. 😮ba🎉 bbbnnv Cbc b b.

[@jordancferry]

I just want to say thank you. I followed your prewire guide over the last 3 years as I have slowly renovated my downstairs. I can't tell you how many times I ran a wire based on your advice and it saved my bacon! My first inclination was to just run a few here and there but when I came across your information I followed it not knowing if it was too much wire to run (wife thought so). With several 'changes' and 'additions' to my plans made over time as I learned what I wanted, I now had wire existing behind the drywall to make anything work! Thank you. To anyone reading this, follow his guide. And when in doubt, run 2 more cat 6!!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thx tons my friend! Happy it was help to you. Sounds like you’ve done some fun things with your tech!

[@SunsetSnoo]

As a graduate student of TYM School I cannot be more happier to see that’s it evolving and all the content gets timely updates. Thank you Matt for all your hard work!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thx my friend as always for your support! Hope things are going well

[@JULIANPINOTHOUGHTS]

I love all your advise and clear explanation covering every detail. Thanks a lot!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

You’re welcome, Julian! Thanks for the feedback!

[@JULIANPINOTHOUGHTS]

Are you guys familiar with Tuya/ Smart Life ? Is it common in the US?

[@justinmillward9486]

Hands down most helpful company I've ever chatted with. Helpful with questions. Great work, great honesty

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Appreciate that Justin! Support means more than you know. Hope you're doing well

[@TRENDtraveler]

Instant subscribe and like. In the rough-in stage of our renovation and this was so helpful!!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful. Good luck with your project! 👊🏼😎

[@sparkypugh8]

THANK YOU!! Easily one of the most informative videos on KZbin.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thanks Nick! Appreciate the support

[@wireguy123]

Bay Area Wire Guy approves this video. Everything is on point. We wire several dozen custom homes in silicon valley. Thanks for the video. Will recommend to all my clients

[@robertboyle243]

First time on your videos, well done. I over wired my house 40 years ago and now am circling back to see what is being done today. Trying to see if I can use RG6 and 59 instead of Cat 6 with MOCA stuff.

[@sagefi1]

Been trying to research smart wiring since I'm doing a huge renovation/addition to my home. Glad I found your videos. No one else has explained this information more clearly that I've seen!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Glad to hear it was helpful. Good luck on the renovation. Sounds like a project!

[@ryderholland]

Newer dsc neo systems have incredible wireless range. Have done 10000sq ft retrofit jobs and only needed a single centrally located antenna

[@Bradmcdonnell]

good to see you back. Always great advice...

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

good to be back :) thanks for the support

[@nazirchowdhury4206]

hey! Nice to see you. Doing the same job in smaller scales. 25 to 30 Custom Houses in a year. the prewire book i bought from you still with me. How about the updated version? May i get a copy? Thanks!

[@mitchelle245]

Has anything changed? Can you pre wire for outdoor spaces of sorts? With a mind towards a future patio, outdoor shades, music and lighting.

[@QuackSecX]

You're like the Channing Tatum of wiring a house. Love the video, thanks for the content!

[@KODJOAZIAKA]

Great video, what type of cable do you recommend for ceiling speaker?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thank you. Generally 16/2 speaker wire. If you are using high-end amps and speakers, then 14/2.

[@nicknamednickify]

Probably good to consider, if running conduit between floors (such as from basement to attic): these are areas with temperature differentials which can cause the conduit to condensate or just be a huge energy leak. Check local codes and fire codes (I'm not an expert). You should probably never leave an open conduit from floor to floor. After running cables or if you are going to leave it for future installations, any conduits should probably be fire caulked, or even just plugged somehow at the least, at each end to cut down on air transfer.

[@sooknandannishan]

I can't understand how pvc conduit would get crushed... Sounds crazy! Loved the video! Learnt a lot today!

[@mikelary88]

Thank you so much for sharing this info.

[@chefbennyj]

Hey! You're back! Awesome! I just redid my home with cat6, and a bunch of Ubiquiti stuff. It isn't top of the line, but everything is wired now.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

just want it to work and be enjoyable to use, doesn't have to be top of the line right :)

[@honestogod]

loved the video. great recommendations! Tried downloading by the website is down?

[@mjzcreations8571]

Brief and Concise , very useful

[@brianrhodes382]

So, On the fiber if u are doing MM in home, with SM from ISP what are u using to link that together. Because of the difference in light being delivered

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

We recommend MM in the house as most consumer devices that use fiber are MM based. We’ve found most utility companies are SM based. We’ve found that even when we run an SM cable to the Demarc for a utility company. They won’t use it because it’s not their fiber and they won’t support or warranty it. So better option is to run a conduit so utility company can feed their wire into the equipment room. Or ask the utility company for some of their fiber or utility wire. Many companies provide this for free to builders so they can prewire the equipment closet to demarc. The utility company will Provide their box or equipment that converts their fiber to a usable source. It will then integrate with your gear.

[@brianrhodes382]

@@SmartHomeBrothers i understand that. Thanks for the reply, but the company may put in say a giga center . That won’t let u use MM with SM feeding it. So what are u using to make the transfer. And I get MM but if ISP is only sending one MM uses multiple light modes what are u using in residential

[@notoryous2]

I don't know if this is going to get a response as it might seem very begineer: WHERE do I know where should I initiate the wirings from? For example, I know networking, audio and video will probable go the central rack where the systems are, but what about for the shades? I'm assuming those would just need power. Thanks in advanced for any input.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thanks for the question. Shades are wired to central points for the power sources. These can be in the mechanical room, racks room, or other closets.

[@notoryous2]

@@SmartHomeBrothers thanks for replying. Central power sources could be where the breaker panel is or another area one "creates" for this specific point?

[@VP411Designs]

Matt, this is awesome. Man, lucky I found this. I am in process of pre-wiring on existing home and the info you shared is very helpful. Appreciate the help! Do you have a demo that shows how you do the actual wiring on homes? Love to see some examples of what to look for when wiring. And tips/tricks much appreciated! Would also love to hear about POE use of C6 if recommendationed, also any spliting of wires if and when would you want to split any runs or better to use all homeruns?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. We hope to create more wiring videos this next year.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

We typically home run. That said, you might have switches in multiple locations - all connected. We try not to split. Most people end up wishing they had more not less wire in their walls once they are closed up.

[@VP411Designs]

@@SmartHomeBrothers thank you

[@112428]

@@SmartHomeBrothers This is how I wired my home. Fiber network equipment in the garage and then a run to the 12U network cabinet in the boiler room of the 1950s house, where every home run is terminated to a patch panel. 2 CAT6 runs to every room, except for the kitchen and breakfast nook rooms. 4 CAT6 runs to the home office, 2 behind the desk for the home computer and work computer, then 2 for the printers. Everything in the patch panel is connected to a 24 port PoE network switch so I can connect Deco mesh wifi access points without a power outlet. The only place where I have a secondary network switch is in the attached garage (going to a detached garage for cable length) and inside the detached garage (wifi access point & 2 ports for a TV / computer). Many people disagree, but I also ran coax to certain rooms in the house for free OTA television, once again all terminated to the 12U network cabinet in the patch panel. Then run between the antenna, amplifier, and splitter inside the cabinet so everything is easy to troubleshoot without climbing into the attic.

[@kenkryptonite]

Great work putting this together. Can I get a sample residential wiring diagram or schematic showing the wire routing and DBs? It will greatly help understand this video better. Thank you.

[@conradtona1882]

Thank you Matt, glad to see and hear the updates I Followed your directions back in 2016 when I wired our home and still haven’t used any of it but I gotta tell you it feels great to know it’s ready to go when I can afford it 👍 I did use different color cat 6 to each TV location and also ran 14-4 everywhere for speakers and labeled the crap out of everything. It’s kind of like buying great insurance for the house knowing someday it’ll be used and it will be AWESOME! Conrad

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Glad it worked out, and great to hear from you! Hope you're doing well.

[@jamesjones9549]

I used your video to educate me when we built our home in 2020. Now we bought a 1956 house. How do I bring this house up to date?

[@macminn18]

Like the video. I'm looking for assistance in designing a system to prewire our home. Can't get your link to work

[@DigitalDonAV]

Great Video!

[@uneebsaeed4949]

what is the downside of running one cat6 to a tv and using a small switch behind the tv to plug in multiple devices? can the dhcp server still distribute ip addresses at that switch?

[@flyers10az]

Very helpful. Well done video. If I'm making a small dedicated theater should I run multiple Cat6 to the theater's EQ rack or can just run 1 and use a small switch at the rack? (Main wiring/router/switch is in master bedroom closest)

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

If it’s just for network that will work for sure. If we’re using it for Video Baluns, or control better to home run one for each purpose. Sounds like you’d just be doing network so that will work.

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

I'm planning on wiring my forever home with CAT 6 or 7 and having SMART switches to control lights. That way I can have a single switch and not worry about running any addition 2 way or 3 way switches for a room with more than 1 entrance. I'll have a switch at "MAIN" location and then I can have Alex or Google turn them off when ever I want or on a schedule. Maybe a NFC device like a ring, so that when we leave, all power gets turned off except frig, clocks, routers and such. Maybe a smart circuit breaker panel and battery backup. I want all my security cameras PoE. Great video. Maybe if you have some physical examples, people might understand better.

[@MrBrandenS]

Awesome video as always. Glad to know I did well on the cat 6, fiber, and audio runs when we built the house and what I ran myself. Still need to map out my zones for landscape wiring. I ended up missing out on the security keypads/door sensors and blind wiring so it is a weakness in the system. Cameras are all wired where I need them though. I am currently using a wireless solution for security but we are expanding into 4600 sq ft as we finish the basement so worried about connectivity issues. I ran an AP on each level of the house with cat 6 wiring, ran conduit up into the attic, and have Ubiquiti repeaters and access points spread throughout the house so I suspect I will probably be fine.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

I imagine you'll be fine. See what wireless repeater/extender options are for your specific security system make/model. Good chance you can add to the basement as you're finishing. Sounds like a fun project and system!

[@gregheard6024]

awesome video as always!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Greg hope you're doing well my friend, hope we see photos of that theater sooner than later!

[@gregheard6024]

@@SmartHomeBrothers Thanks!! It's been a bit slow going but picking up some momentum. Had to do a full rack makeover for 2 of them and get the 3rd prepped for the theater. Also had to upgrade the matrix (now AVPro Avion model and to the Strato S and CA-10 processor). So now we are ready to tackle theater! framing., insulation and MLV coming soon. Will definitely share progress photos!!

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

@@gregheard6024 sounds amazing! Can't wait to hear about it. Might have to sneak down and film it when your''redone

[@gregheard6024]

@@SmartHomeBrothers absolutely!

[@portisrulz]

Problem with running CAT6 is that there’s currently no baluns for CAT6 to HDMI 2.1, right?

[@siddharth1177]

Hi nice video. I wanted your opinion on the future of wired systems. We are seeing that day by day the gap between reliability of wired and wireless systems is getting less and less. E.g. High end wireless surround speakers now come with self calibration and zero lag, new wireless protocol Matter will be out by 2022-23. How and till when do you see wired systems sustaining?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

I honestly think we’ll see wired systems for years to come. It’s the Steve Jobs answer on tablets vs computers. Computers are trucks and do heavy lifting, tablets are cars and do lightweight lifting, it’s the same with wire. It’s the truck that does the heavy lifting. And in Steve’s words were always going to need trucks to do the heavy lifting. Homeowners will choose to use wireless more and more because wireless is improving as you mentioned, but there will be good reason to prewire. You’ll also have different tech. Take lighting for example. Lot of people believe lighting will go exclusively low voltage and run off battery backup and solar, so you’ll need low voltage wiring. We’re pro wireless, but wire the things that make sense to wire while you can. Performance of wireless devices improve when we minimize the amount of wireless things, so wire what can easily be wired, and use wireless tech for the rest. That will be a changing target, but I believe we’ll run wire for years to come.

[@shadow.banned]

You still put RG6 in homes?

[@masch14]

HI BRO DOYOU have diagram for exlink samsung tv for savant thanks

[@colinforzley5551]

Love all these videos, wish I would have seen them before pre-wiring our last house. Definitely feeling more prepared for the next one starting next year! For pre-wiring of shades, if I am not planning to utilize these wires right away how do you conceal them? I was thinking mounting a box in the top of the window jamb and throwing a blank cover plate on it, but I'm not sure I want to see the cover plate in all the windows.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Yeah that’s always a tricky one. I’ve seen some guys use a security press fit, or the plug for the press fit, depends if you have a cavity behind the casing or if it’s solid. We’ve done low voltage surface mount boxes so they’re only 1” thick and you put on a faceplate. Paint it color of casing, or something close. All of those work, but it is what it is. Shades is an area where it’s tricker to conceal wired you aren’t using in a way that’s esthetically pleasing.

[@utta9274]

When wiring for security cameras installation is there a bracket that needs to be used so that the drywall folks don't cover the wire?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

lot of times we use a single gang low voltage ring, but some cameras won't cover the single gang size completely, especially bullet cameras. So the other option is to use something like hanger strap that you purchase in the plumber section of Home Depot or Lowes. Strap it between the studs, and then push the Cat6 through one of the holes, leave yourself a couple feet of slack. MOST sheet rockers understand that's a wire that's suppose to get pulled through the wall, soffit, etc.

[@utta9274]

@@SmartHomeBrothers Thank you On a single story home (10’ ceilings) do you prefer passing the wire for the camera through the soffit or the wall?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

@@utta9274 outside of home we usually use soffit, unless it’s an area that doesn’t have it. That’s more preference though than anything else. Dome cameras don’t do well on walls, you really need a different mount, so it soffit made it easy to use any variety of camera, but neither is right or wrong, just different variables to account for

[@charles6771]

Excellent video, bought 5 Levolor motorized cellular shades. According to Levolor’s tech support, they void their warranty if hardwired. Rationale being motor can burn out. Yet, 12 AA batteries = 18 vdc (10) amps. Yours is the first intelligent video I’ve watched. I ran 16/6 to three windows, 3 pairs. I ran trailer cable, is this permitted? Would fusing at 10 amps, protect each run? Thank you

[@bleung2]

Do u guys do the service in Las Vegas?

[@jasonperry6046]

I know you have done some system walk throughs, but have you done any recently? Also, what Wi-Fi access points do you use? I am not sure what the industry suggests for camera placement but I like 1 camera in a position to cover the whole area (not worries about detail) and then one at the entrances (in a position I can see details)

[@pconyc]

Update for 2024? Great video

[@jamesgaither4175]

Another very informative video! We are in the process of building a new home with Toll Brothers. They have a division(TBI Smart Home Solutions) that will provide pre-wire support at the Design Center stage of the process. Is there any benefit to signing up for your Design Services to review my floorplan and confirm all specs prior to meeting with TBI?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Honestly just depends. TB has been providing Smart Homes for a while now, so they'll have either a good in-house group, or a local Dealer that's assisting. Good friend of mine in the Pheonix area does their homes and I know they do great work. So they'll take good care of you. Design Service will give you a chance to walk through the variables, and understand it better before you have to make decisions it's definitely beneficial, but it's different for everyone.

[@w0nd3rb0y]

Run 1 Cat6A to 10G switch behind TV

[@sanveergill9770]

Hi I just had a few questions, I’m planning for our next build. What do you suggest for video distribution for security camera feeds (would run to few tvs throughout large home). Additionally what brand of security cameras do you suggest to use? I’ve used Hikvision in the past not quite sure if I should we the security concerns and I’m not a big fan of the interface either.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

If your NVR is a source to the Vid Dist, then it will feed to all the TVs on the Vid Dist. As for specific models, it depends a little on the Control Platform you're using. We use Hik a lot, but there are other solutions. Savant and Control4 both have their own white labeled versions, but makes it easy to integrate and service. There are other 3rd party out there that are good. You just have to know if you care to have it integrated or not, and then match from there. You'll see a lot of SnapAV in the industry as well.

[@SoPiPz]

Can I use cat 8 in 2024?

[@CoupleMoore]

Since these category (cat) cables seem to get upgraded over and over, is there any innovative technology on the horizon that would replace cat cabling altogether? Something that would not constantly be made obsolete? Maybe Ethernet will be left in the past? It sounds like optical fiber isn’t the answer.

[@JJFlores197]

I don't think CAT cable will be eliminated anytime soon. I know wifi has been improving over the years and can almost rival ethernet with the highest end equipment and ideal conditions.

[@112428]

CAT6A can support up to 10 gigabit, where 99% of devices can only support up to 1 gigabit. There's no reason to think CAT cabling will ever be outdated for home use. CAT5 was standard for everything for 15-20 years, and honestly for home use is still just fine since you'll rarely have a run more than 100 ft. within a house.

[@malpern]

Does anyone offer a good physical wireless volume control that works with sonos?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Micah help me understand the application? Are you looking for a vc on a wall? Obviously you have the app, or voice control so trying to understand where you would need a wireless VC? You could use something like Lutron Caseta keypads which are wireless and it will run the volume for you.

[@Rob81818]

Stupid question, can i just do a single Cat6 wall panel and add a switch to connect the other devices within that area? rather than have multiple Cat6?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

it depends a lot on the applications. Things that simply need network sure. Things like Video that need a balun, or control (serial or IR, not IP) you would need actual Cat6. The other factor is the quality of the network switch. A small switch won't cost a ton, but it will cost enough that it won't be much different than just dropping in the extra Cat. I'd run 2-3 Cat, and then if you're in a pinch add Switch for the items that are exclusively network related and not video or control.

[@Rob81818]

@@SmartHomeBrothers my setup would consist of the TV, Roku, Apple TV and a PS5. With this setup, will a switch suffice?

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

@@Rob81818 I’d run 2 cat6 and then if you want to use a switch will work. Conduit from tv to wherever ps5 is at

[@paulambrose3003]

Hi Matt leaving the voltage differences aside how applicable are your courses in the UK? I run a IT networking company and we are just diversifying to smart homes, we've done the Control 4 training and one of the partners is renovating his house which we will use as a smart show home, many thanks

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Should be helpful still. We’ve had a lot of people from UK go through never had a complaint. Although if it helps, love to hear from you afterwards, or if you have suggestions on things we can adjust for our UK friends we’d love to hear

[@bobbytaylor3177]

Very informative

[@femmefatalexX1]

Wish you were in dallas

[@bobulatorul]

Can someone tell me what he means by conduit? I thought conduit is like a pipe essentially…you can put through it any wire you want but for some reason when he refers to conduit he refers to very high video transmission / quality.

[@AntonAnisimov]

Why multimode instead of single mode?

[@MrSupersidewinder]

I spent my whole career wiring... Alarm tech, systems integrator... I tracked right with you up until the blinds.... 2 cat 6's And 2 16/4's, AND POSSIBLY HIGH VOLTAGE... YIKES Blind manufacturer's should get their act together!!! No justification for high voltage here... Standards anyone??? Most I see in the 'smart home market' run on battery, optional solar charger, or wall wart to micro usb... 1 cat 6 should handle any of them... Even heavy covers can be moved by power pack at the cover. Poe would be cool...

[@CoupleMoore]

Wiring idiot, here. What would be wrong with wiring a whole new home build with cat6a? I would want the option to put a TV wherever I want, such as if I rearrange my furniture, or I want to add a TV to a guest room later.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Nothing wrong with that. Perfectly ok

[@CoupleMoore]

@@SmartHomeBrothers Thanks! It seemed obvious but then again, it didn’t. Glad to have the confirmation. 👍🏼

[@femmefatalexX1]

Please include example pictures !

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

wish we were in Dallas too! if you're able to hop in Tym U, or grab the ebook they'll have tons of examples, images. Tym U we filmed a prewire you can follow along with! tym.link/3obNMj

[@LumenCache]

Have you seen LumenCache? If you love UTP wire, you'll flip over it.

[@fala86able]

Now I might not understand everything here. But why on earth would you need 6 cat6 cables for your TV and devices? Why not just 1 cable connected to Ethernet switch and then you can connect all other devices to that switch? I mean this is what switches are for from what I know.

[@allent555]

What conduit collapses? Surely not schedule 40 PVC

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

flexible conduit that most people think of when we're talking low voltage

[@allent555]

@@SmartHomeBrothers Use that only by exception, and never during construction or while the wall is open.

[@philippines4.0buildinganew64]

Just gave you guys a shout out on our tiny baby channel (Philippines 4.0) about new house building Love your content and presenting style - including no hard sell.

[@SmartHomeBrothers]

Thx tons for the shoutout and the support! Will be sure to check out your channel and story

[@stephenrositer7204]

If your planning on cameras that can move...still just cat6

[@Kushari]

Hi, for the cell booster I had recently watched a video about how the coax ones aren’t that great. Check this one out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y57ce4d4nq1ogqs

[@philipperostin]

Most tvs dont even have a 1gbs card !

[@actionjacksonva]

🙏🏾

[@ishaqal-suleimani9153]

Better to show some pics when explaining. Picture explained thousands words

[@shadow.banned]

Repeaters or APs? Repeaters suck.

[@gregp4557]

Am I missing Something? Why does any one need multi CAT cable to any where in the home? Almost everything is wireless today, and even running 1 CAT cable to each room would allow non wifi connection to anything in that room. The example he gave of three CAT 6 cables to a TV so there is one for the TV, one for a Roku (or other box) and another one for the RF controller makes no sense. The TV can do wifi, the Roku does wifi, why the heck an RF remote needs a cat it totally beyond me. Even if you can come up with a list of items that can use CAT in a given area, you don't need separate cables for each one. You just add a hub. I can see one cat cable per room to avoid weak wifi signal, but beyond that ?? Am I missing something?

[@KODJOAZIAKA]

Cabling is most reliable and secure way to do Smart Home. Hope this help..

[@ulaana]

It's like he's speaking another language...😓