security wiring help plz.

[R6 Racer]

I will be installing a complete security system soon. I need to install any & all wiring I will eventually need now. I will be installing the ceiling next & want to get the wires in before I do.
Can anyone tell me what type wire I need for what.

I dont know what more, or even if any more, info is needed to get me to the required answers. Definitely not my area of expertise, so ... help!!(plz.)

Steve

 

[DanMan90]

Do you have a system picked out that you will be using?

 

[CoogarXR]

What kind of security system are we talking about? An alarm system with door/window sensors, or a camera system, or both?

 

[jeffmoss26]

yeah, it would help to know what panel you have chosen.
Around here, I see 22/4 conductor wire being used for just about everything - contacts, smokes, keypads, power...

 

[Falcon67]

As above or get a big roll of Cat 5 twisted pair network cable - over kill, cheap, plenty of spare wires.

 

[simpler=better]

I'd either run a conduit to a box in the corner, or just run two cat5 cables anywhere I might think I'd need them.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Need more info.

What type of system and what type of sensors!!

 

[Cmreschke]

Cat 5 is overkill but I like it.

 

[Rookie2]

Isn't everyone going wireless ?

 

[mjbasford]

Cat 5 is overkill but I like it.

Cat5 is great, but sometimes the thin solid wire tends to break in security system screw terminals.

Isn't everyone going wireless ?

Wireless is great, but if you can hardwire, always do it.


OP;

Need more info for sure, but run 22/4 stranded to all smoke detectors, keypads, motions and glassbreaks.

Run 22/2 (or 22/4 if you want) to all sirens, doors and windows to be contacted. Depending on the type of contacts you will be using we can determine how to set the wire up before the walls go up.

Give some more info and we can assist you further. Personally, i recommend DSC products

 

[nadogail]

I bought a box of telephone connection cable; you can do a lot with a red, green, black and yellow conductor.

 

[R6 Racer]

I do not have a system picked out yet.
The vision, for right now at least, (nothing is set in stone) is to have cameras inside & outside of both home & shop. Smoke detectors, door sensors & glass break sensors, in both. I also want some kind of noise type alarm, but I am still trying to decide what to use. (suggestions)
There are already smoke detectors in the house now that will eventually need to be tied into the system & I would like to have everything run by/threw a computer in the house.

Right now, all I have is a wish list. (Anyone! Feel free to suggest changes! Please)
I do know I don't want wireless & while I have access to the attic in the shop, I figured, run everything now. I honestly don't know what "everything" is for sure as of yet.

All I really know for sure is that I want a system that works very very well, gives me fantastic coverage & is extremely reliable.
I also fully expect to be trenching in a conduit between the 2 buildings specifically for this, but for now I just want to cover the shop wiring.

mjbasfordThat sounds like what I'm looking for.
So is what your saying, running 22g4w stranded from everywhere I plan on having anything, to one central panel location in the shop would do the trick for now then?
Why do you suggest DSC (who are they)? Do you happen to work in a related field?

Have I given all of you who were asking for more info enough?

Steve

 

[slip knot]

I had ADT wire my house. they used a special fire rated zipcord for everything. Not sure if it was code required but the cable had a special firecode registration on the spool. I wish I had kept some around.

 

[Beemer533]

As far as the cameras go, PoE (power over ethernet) is the way to go, IMO.

Run a CAT5e to each camera location and you will be covered for power and data. Stay away from wireless cameras (which still need power).

Where you you place the cameras will depend on what you want to see, the type of camera (lens type 2.8, 3, 4mm etc) and resolution.

CAT5e is cheap, run it everywhere, back to a common point where all your equipment will go.

While you are at it, plan for some PoE wifi access points (like the Ubiquiti UniFi) for internet access and run CAT5e to a couple of locations in the ceiling (they install just like a smoke detector).

 

[jeffmoss26]

DSC is one of the big brands, owned by Tyco.
Honeywell is another major player...they bought Ademco a number of years back, the Vista panels are extremely popular.

 

[R6 Racer]

Which wire will give me a better signal/connection & is more durable?
Cat5 or a 22g4w stranded. Price is not a major concern, signal & reliability are key.

While I'm getting suggestions other than for wire, I might as well ask...
With cams & sensors in the shop & the computer I want to run everything in the house. Will I need to run all individual wires to that computer or is there a way to have some type of sub panel in the shop? A sub panel that would let me run way less wires to the house.
As I said earlier, I know very (very, very) little about security systems


This is most likely great information but I have no clue what your talking about here... Its like another language... sorry I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff.
"While you are at it, plan for some PoE wifi access points (like the Ubiquiti UniFi) for internet access and run CAT5e to a couple of locations in the ceiling (they install just like a smoke detector)."
Can anyone possibly explain what beemer is trying to tell me here?

Thanks for all the input !!!
Steve

PS>
If there is anyone in the business that would like to sell me a system feel free to contact me pvtly.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

PoE stands for "power over ethernet". Its a method of powering network devices over the same CAT5e cable used for data transmission.

A UBNT UniFi is a brand of wireless access point.

 

[simpler=better]

oversimplified, a 'network switch' is like a subpanel, but for data. They're like $15 for your application.

Run your data/power cables where you want them, and then have all your data lines go back to the 'network switch' then only 1 line goes out to the server in the garage.

 

[Trey T]

For camera: use Cat5e and mount your camera 5-8ft from the ground.
For internet: use a single Cat5e with a switch (assumed there's a router from inside the home) to distribute your internet so you don't have to run a bunch of wires from house to each outlet.
For alarm: use Cat5e or couple Cat5e lines as "trunk line" and split them up at a junction box. I would get a short roll of 24guage pair-wire for individual sensors. use window sensor (the flushed type) and glass break sensor at each window.