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Thread ID: 46067 2004-06-12 06:24:00 O/T smart wiring Young Tom (5503) Press F1
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243726 2004-06-14 03:12:00 Power sockets are exceptionally important. And you generally need more than just one per wall.
I would recommend a strip of 6 per corner. Additionally, make sure the sparky doesn't scrimp on "overload" switches (Can't remember the correct technical term). The last thing you want is to be watching a DVD / surfing the net / playing XBox / <insert any pastime that uses something electrical> and have the whole room go down, just because someone turned the heater on.

Invest in power sockets over and above all else, then network cable (Cat 6).
antmannz (28)
243727 2004-06-14 04:12:00 i'm not a fan of those 6 outlet wall plates (except for benchtops) as i find its far better to use powerboards exspecially ones with surge protectors built in.

don't forget the $$$ factor. installing $1000's of cable and wall plates that you will never ever use is a little pointless.
tweak'e (174)
243728 2004-06-14 21:20:00 One double socket per wall in main living areas and perhaps down to 2 double sockets for the bedrooms on opposite walls should be a good mix. Place Telephone sockets around also as they can be very handy in different spots. Aerial sockets in opposite sides of the lounge/dining room are also a good idea as quite often the "lady of the house" will decide to change the rooms around and then ya have a mad scramble running leads etc just to get everything running again.....and that is speaking from experience. Basically look at your living arrangements now and remember all the the places you would have liked power/phone etc. Now think practical and eliminate the ones you could have managed without and that will give you an idea on what you need. Different needs for different rooms. dipstick01 (445)
243729 2004-06-15 00:25:00 I have read all these replies with interest, and I wonder if putting all types of cables in the walls that you may or may not use in the future is very cost effective. I would prefer to ensure that lots of draw wires are left in the walls where there may possibly be a future need. Then if you do decide that another powerpoint/phonesocket/datasocket is needed, then pull the required cable through and install the socket. That way you can use the latest wiring product available, not some older cable that may not be of use in the future. Of course this idea only works if you have access to the attic space, and is even better with a wooden floored house that you can crawl under. Andrew B (867)
243730 2004-06-15 01:21:00 Andrew - that is smart thinking. The ethernet cabling in our office was dismissed as old and no good by the IT experts after 3 years. What hope can Tom have in an unknown future?

Actually that is fairly existential and Tom's hopes must remain shrouded in mystery :D
Winston001 (3612)
243731 2004-06-15 02:10:00 Young Win,have no fear,I tend towards the pragmatic.The abstract and the existential mind set I will leave to you and those with that propensity.;) Young Tom (5503)
243732 2004-06-15 02:43:00 Sort of off the subject but I hope you are planning solar and passive heating in this edifice.

From my own experience, double glazing is the very best option you can choose, even if you don't have other extras. Warm in winter, cool in summer, and the unexpected bonus of excellent noise insulation.
Winston001 (3612)
243733 2004-06-15 02:50:00 Double glazing is a must,as you say also using xtra heavy bats.

Solar I think is still uneconomic,due for old age home in the next year or two you see!
Young Tom (5503)
243734 2004-06-15 04:45:00 I really meant passive solar design. Deep eaves, orientation to north, long (as opposed to wide) windows, tiled or similar floor to act as a heat sink. Celestory windows, a tall centre mass to draw air into the house interior. Not difficult to include but you would need a bit of expert guidance.

The Ministry of Energy published a very good (free) book about 10 years ago on passive solar design. Might be still available.
Winston001 (3612)
243735 2004-06-15 05:50:00 We tried to do the passive solar thing when we built our house - see earlier post. Concrete floor for a heat sink, yada yada yada. Unfortunately what the architect failed to take into account was the line of mature trees at the side of the house that block most of the sunlight at the critical times of day! He realized about two days before the concrete was to be poured, and paid his own real money to put pipes under the concrete so we could get the heat that way if needed. Haven't needed it yet due to the good design of the rest of the house - but be warned. On the bright side, at least the trees also stop it getting too hot in summer.

Tony Bacon
tbacon_nz (865)
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