Electrics First Fix

randombar

Just met the electrician today and pointed out where the plugs and sockets are going.

I'm just wondering is there any affordable add ons I should be considering at this stage in the build?? Any recommendations from people?

Thanks
Gary

sunnysoutheast

I suggest putting loads of CAT5e/6 network cables in, at least 2 per small room and more where you will be having TVs/media streamers/intercoms/CCTV stations etc. - run them all back to a central point close to where you'll be bringing in the Eircom line. Just be careful if paying the extra for CAT6 as it needs to be installed carefully, it's not as resilient as T&E.

Also you may want to think about TV distribution - put in high quality cables not generic.

Maybe also put in speaker cable for ceiling speakers/surround sound - don't go mad on this 2.5mm2 OFC stranded copper cable will do.

SSE

randombar

Nice one for that.

Have the Cat 6 ordered all right, 4 points for the main tvs and office and two points in each bedroom and the kitchen. Is there ways of testing it's wired correctly etc?

Have satellite ordered for each room, thinking I should get co-ax put in too with the digital terrestrial tv coming out??

Was thinking of putting in a few surround sound sockets all right, what kind of sockets would I need for this? Where can I get that cable in cork??

sunnysoutheast

CAT6 is very sensitive to bend radius, kinking, etc. - who's installing and certifying it? Maybe post a specific query on the tech forum!

As for speaker cable I'd just buy a 50m reel of 2.5mm OFC on eBay - this stuff has a massive markup at the likes of Harvey Norman or B&Q and there's no such thing as audiophile-grade copper. You can also get gold-plated banana plugs and spade connectors (just search for Nakamichi) direct from China on eBay. You can either put in 4mm socket plates or just screw the plugs onto the cables and plug them into the amp.

SSE

randombar

Thanks for that, the electrician is installing it.Good to know about the bend radius, any idea how much of a bend can be made?

sunnysoutheast

GaryCocs wrote: »

Thanks for that, the electrician is installing it.Good to know about the bend radius, any idea how much of a bend can be made?

I've heard that anything sharper than the equivalent of bending it round a coke can will cack it, plus you have to make sure that nobody stands on it etc. I'd honestly recommend a post in the Tech->Nets and Comms forum as they can let you know what to watch out for.

SSE

randombar

Thanks for that, I'm actually reading through the audio section at the moment.

Would you recommend a couple of speakers in the ceilings?? Like all those lunatics seem to have

travelguru

Burglar alarm.

Also places you can get stuff from in Cork / MCK /Kellehers /Dwyers

randombar

Being wired for that all right.

I do like Dwyers too, quality stuff for not a bad price.