Articles and whitepapers

Why Use a Professional? (1/10/2004)

By Mike Collins, Discovery Systems

With the advances in communications, broadband and virtual private networking, people are looking at ways to network and integrate computers, telephones and A/V around the home. Products are becoming easier to use, and intelligent and smart designs are becoming important in creating that modern lifestyle.

The modern networked home

Although wireless networks are becoming more freely available, there is still the need for wired elements within the automated home and for professionals to install them. By understanding the customer's requirements, the professional can provide a solution that may encompass the best of both cabled and wireless solutions.

Discovering the customer's requirements

The most important part of any project, whatever the scale and complexity, is to consult with home owners, architects, designers, developers and contractors to ascertain their needs and requirements. As custom installers, we do this by carrying out a 'discovery' to identify their requirements. Only when the customer's needs are fully understood can we provide a solutions proposal and project plan. We then follow a proven solution process from the initial discovery through installation and into the final commissioning and training.

Some projects will involve just the home owner, and they will have ideas on what they would like to achieve. Where architects and designers are involved, it is important to understand the design and architectural brief and specification in order to enable your home automation solution to fit neatly within the home and enhance its design.

Planning

Having moved from the discovery phase, we move into the project planning phase. It is important to understand how the project will be delivered, so we consult with the home owner, architect, designer, developer and contractor in order to identify the number of cables, types of cables, switches, controllers and equipment needed, and discuss where each device will be installed. Ease of use and the design requirements of the building should be taken into account, and it is equally important to understand the individual phases within the build. This ensures that the cabling is installed at the correct time, and that enough time is allowed within the project for this work to be carried out correctly - no-one wants the cables thrown in, only to be faced with issues and faults later on. Finally, we return to the site to complete the installation/commissioning and testing.

For some projects we will act in a consultancy capacity, while for others, we may provide complete project management. A developer may choose to have their own electrical contractor carry out the wiring phase, in which case we would provide installation details and support for the electrical contractor. Ideally, we would then be engaged to commission and complete any specialist work that the electrical contractor could not carry out.

A plan should be created where cables can be run, detailing how many, and also providing advice on segregating the different types of cable for electrical safety and interference.

Complying with regulations

We also provide advice on testing domestic premises. Since installations will involve a mixture of low-voltage data/audio/video/telephone/security cables and mains electrical cables, they must be tested and certified to comply with part P of the Electrical Regulations. It is important to carry out testing bearing in mind that cables may be connected to electrical and electronic devices and as such, any test carried out must not be destructive.

In addition to ensuring that all parts of the electrical installation conforms to IEE wiring regulations, it is equally important for the structured wiring to conform to the BS6701 regulation.

So, whilst a home owner may be keen to possibly install the cabling themselves, it is extremely important for them to fully understand the regulations so that the installation is correctly carried out from a health and safety, functional and interference perspective. The last thing any home owner wants is to receive an electric shock from a steel plate lighting controller, when it should have been earthed, or to get nasty mains-hum in speaker cables just because the segregation rules were not adhered to.

Automated lighting in the living room

Finding the best solution

By working closely with the client, the professional can help them develop and realise their ideas and together create an ideal home. At Discovery Systems for example, we recently engaged with a home owner that had a very long tree-lined drive. They simply wanted to be alerted whenever a car approached the drive. Following the discovery phase we were able not only to provide a solution for alerting the home owner of the approaching car, but also to provide a 24-hour fully-automated video and security system.

Mike Collins is the Owner of Discovery Systems. Discovery Systems has 28 years of experience in electrical engineering, telecommunications, voice and data networking, audio systems and security systems.

www.discoverysystems.co.uk