In 2002 Carma began requiring all new homes to be built in its communities in Edmonton, Calgary and Denver to include “Structured Wiring”. We did this as part of our Carma-Connect program, a technology program that provides an exclusive Community Intranet, technology wiring in the home and our work with the telephone and cable companies to ensure access to High-Speed Internet services.
What is Structured Wiring?
Structured wiring includes upgraded Cat 5e wiring for telephone and RG6 wiring for cable and satellite television. All wiring is installed in a “homerun” fashion where an individual cable runs from a panel in the basement (mechanical room) to each main room in the home. Conventional wiring uses a lower standard cable and runs from room to room, therefore each time you use an appliance on the line the signal is degraded. Conventional wiring also does not permit the flexibility of making changes – e.g. running both a satellite signal and a cable signal to a television, adding a telephone to a spare room or sharing a high-speed internet connection with other members of the family. It’s all about convenience, flexibility and obtaining the best signal possible!
Why is this wiring better? Think of your wiring like a hose or a pipe that handles water. The TV cable and telephone wire coming into your home is equivalent to a fire hose. Standard TV cable and connectors are like a garden hose. Standard telephone wire and the connectors are like a squirt gun. The problem is that as TV signals (like HDTV) and telephone services become completely digital, those faster, clearer, better signals will require the bigger pipe – like what is installed in your home.
Why Structured Wiring and Not Wireless?
There are a few main reasons why we require structured wiring over wireless:
• There is little difference in cost.
• Structured wiring is foolproof – little maintenance, easy to use, limited equipment add-ons.
• Structured wiring stays permanently in the home for future homeowners to use and therefore “maintains the value of your home”.
• There are fewer security issues, unlike wireless that can be “hacked” with a potato chip container from outside your home.
• Wireless does not solve the problem of multiple television sets in the home and their requirement for a cable or satellite signal.
• Your microwave and even your neighbor’s microwave can interrupt wireless signals.
• Wireless cannot match structured wiring for Internet download speeds.
What Else Can Structured Wiring Do?
Your builder has arranged for a basic system to be installed in your home. It permits you to add a telephone to any room, share an internet connection in any room, have a television set in every room and also share computers, printers, fax machines, etc.
At any time, your basic structured wiring system will also (with the right add-ons):
• Permit the sharing of a single DVD player, VCRs, etc. to different rooms and different televisions in the same home.
• You can network 2, 3, 4 or more computers together to share resources.
• Your family can share one computer printer.
• One high-speed Internet connection can be shared with every computer in the home.
• Heating, lighting and security controls can be installed using structured wiring to control turning lights on/off, controlling temperature while you are out, or monitoring your home via the Internet while on vacation or a business trip.
• Structured wiring will be required to support future high tech appliances – fridges, stoves, etc.
• VOIP – voice over Internet protocol, the newest in telephone service, will require a high-speed internet connection and a computer to take advantage of the phenomenal array of new, low priced phone services that will become available.
Will there ever be a replacement for Structured Wiring? Possibly, but your home is already wired with the most full-proof, low cost, low maintenance, most versatile system available. And, your future buyer will know it and consider your home ahead of others when it comes time for you to sell.
Remember
As a new purchaser of a home in the Carma communities of Summerside or Parkland you have access to the Community Intranet – Carma-Connect for community information and services. This service is offered exclusively to residents and is included in your Resident’s Association Fees.
Specifications for Lots less than 32 feet
Specifications for lots greater than 32 feet