June 20, 2023 · Smart home technology
To Wire or Not to Wire
Navigating Low-Voltage Wiring for Your Smart Home in 2023
The landscape of smart homes is continuously evolving, with more and more homeowners aspiring to create a seamless network of IoT devices. And, in the midst of home renovations, a pertinent question often arises: should you invest in low-voltage wiring for your smart home in 2023?
In a recent episode of an Internet of Things podcast, this question was put forth by a caller. He was renovating his home, with the rare opportunity to access inside the walls, and wanted to plan his smart home's wiring - low-voltage and high-voltage. His goal? To future-proof his home network.
When it comes to wiring your home, an essential consideration is to ensure ample connectivity. If you find yourself with the luxury of access to add wiring throughout your home, I strongly recommend installing at least CAT-6 cables. Strive to have at least one Ethernet port for each bedroom or living area, which allows wired transfer speeds of up to 1 Gb per second. For those seeking a speedier upgrade, CAT-7 cables provide a whopping 10 GBps throughput boost.
But what about WiFi? Well, for wireless access, the recommendation is to complement your network cabling with WiFi 6E mesh routers. However, it's worth noting that every home is unique in terms of design and building materials - factors that can significantly impact your wireless network coverage. Moreover, as of today, most mesh Wi-Fi routers don't support wired speeds above 2.5 Gbps, but that's likely to change in the coming years.
As for low-voltage wiring, the need for such systems in the smart home space has decreased considerably. Over a decade of smart home experience, I've never used a low-voltage product. They have niche applications, like for professional audio/visual scenarios or powering large automated shades, but aside from that, their usage is rather limited.
Moreover, industry insiders, who once championed low-voltage solutions, have ceased their support. This pivot is mainly due to two reasons. First, the need for a very specific product type to utilize it, and second, the proprietary nature of most low-voltage smart home solutions.
Today, the smart home industry is steering towards the more universal approach of the Matter standard. This shift, although not as swift as one might desire, does not accommodate any low-voltage Matter devices. Therefore, unless you have an exceptional product requirement that necessitates low-voltage wiring, it's advisable to bypass it for your 2023 smart home.
In conclusion, while high-voltage wiring and advanced Wi-Fi systems remain integral to a well-connected smart home, the need for low-voltage wiring has become less significant. Your home in 2023 doesn't necessarily need to be wired with low-voltage systems, except for very specific cases. Instead, focus on ensuring robust high-speed wired and wireless connections, and embrace the universal approach championed by the Matter standard for a truly smart home.