ELK-M1 GOLD INSTALLATION
- Thread starter gasbie
- Start date
Definitely run as much wire as possible prior to sheetrocking. There is a Wireing 101, 102, and 103 articles on this site. Do a quick search and read them. They have a lot of great information as far as what wires to run and where.
Welcome!!
PS - the actual installation is easy. It's just a pain to run all the wire. It's not hard, just time consuming and hard work. But running it prior to sheetrock will make it much easier.
Welcome!!
PS - the actual installation is easy. It's just a pain to run all the wire. It's not hard, just time consuming and hard work. But running it prior to sheetrock will make it much easier.
So, what kind of wire should i run. All I have thought of is cat5e which I have ran alot of it. This is what I want. I want:
Intercom system - i ran cat5e
Home security system - I ran cat5e for this, what else should I run
Motion sensor system- Don't know what wire to run
security camera - Ran the BNC, power adapter wire
Telephone system - ran cat5e and rj11
Touch screen - vga cable, usb, cat5e
Keypads for security system - cat5e, what else?
Temperature sensor- Don't know what wires to run, but I ran cat5e.
RF blaster distribution system. cat 5e from every room to the closet.
Please, someone revise my list and add or subtract from my wiring concept. HELP OUT... If there is any other M1 products I can add, please list it. I want to run all wires so that I can do add on in future without breaking walls or ceiling. Thanks
Whole house audio? not really an elk issue but if you plan for that run a 2nd cat5 to intercom locations and then run speaker wire to each zone but go via intercom locations.
Security camera - run cat5 also
keypad - need second wire for keypad speaker
motions - you can use cat5
Neurorad
Senior Member
Read the installation manuals, for example the Elk M1.
What country are you in? The distributor may be able to help you acquire manuals that you don't have, that is, the person selling you the equipment.
22 guage 4 conductor cable is usually used for alarm contacts, at doors and windows.
What country are you in? The distributor may be able to help you acquire manuals that you don't have, that is, the person selling you the equipment.
22 guage 4 conductor cable is usually used for alarm contacts, at doors and windows.
wuench
Senior Member
22/2 for Non-powered sensors (Door/Window Contacts, water contacts, etc)
22/4 for Sensors requiring power (Motion detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, etc)
Firewire for fire related sensors (Smoke/Heat detectors)
CAT5 for Keypad Locations
18/2 for Alarm speaker locations
While you may think it is a good idea to just run something like CAT5 in place of the 22/2,22/4 and are willing to accept the additional expense, but it can be an issue when you try to cram all that big wire into the can at the alarm panel end. You'll be happy you ran 22/x instead of CAT5 when you get ready to terminate.
As mentioned above you can install speakers behind your keypads. You can either run a CAT5 + Speaker wire 18/2, or you can try to use an extra pair off your CAT5 for the speakers. I recommend running the addition speaker wire.
You also may need to use relays in various places (irrigation, garage door opener, etc) You will need to size the wire for the voltage/amperage being carried on those wires. If it is minimal CAT5, 22/2 or 18/2 will probably suffice. If your not sure run larger wire. You can also move your relay card closer out to where you need the relays. Then you just run CAT5 to the M1 relay card.
If you plan to control your thermostat via the M1, you will need to wire according to whatever thermostat you choose. Some require you to run extra wire to the thermostat location itself (CAT5), RCS can take regular thermostat wire to a control module you mount by your furnace then run CAT5 to the control module. Check the M1XSP manual for options.
22/4 for Sensors requiring power (Motion detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, etc)
Firewire for fire related sensors (Smoke/Heat detectors)
CAT5 for Keypad Locations
18/2 for Alarm speaker locations
While you may think it is a good idea to just run something like CAT5 in place of the 22/2,22/4 and are willing to accept the additional expense, but it can be an issue when you try to cram all that big wire into the can at the alarm panel end. You'll be happy you ran 22/x instead of CAT5 when you get ready to terminate.
As mentioned above you can install speakers behind your keypads. You can either run a CAT5 + Speaker wire 18/2, or you can try to use an extra pair off your CAT5 for the speakers. I recommend running the addition speaker wire.
You also may need to use relays in various places (irrigation, garage door opener, etc) You will need to size the wire for the voltage/amperage being carried on those wires. If it is minimal CAT5, 22/2 or 18/2 will probably suffice. If your not sure run larger wire. You can also move your relay card closer out to where you need the relays. Then you just run CAT5 to the M1 relay card.
If you plan to control your thermostat via the M1, you will need to wire according to whatever thermostat you choose. Some require you to run extra wire to the thermostat location itself (CAT5), RCS can take regular thermostat wire to a control module you mount by your furnace then run CAT5 to the control module. Check the M1XSP manual for options.
Neurorad
Senior Member
I would sugest 22/4 for the contacts, so you'll have an extra pair to use when the first pair fails.
A couple of my runs have now failed, 15 years after install, requiring wireless contacts.
Hard to run new cables for security contacts, a lot easier for other cable runs (keypads, LAN). We've done some remodelling, and I think some nails hit some cables. I don't know if a 4-conductor would have been better, but I wish I had the chance to find out.
A couple of my runs have now failed, 15 years after install, requiring wireless contacts.
Hard to run new cables for security contacts, a lot easier for other cable runs (keypads, LAN). We've done some remodelling, and I think some nails hit some cables. I don't know if a 4-conductor would have been better, but I wish I had the chance to find out.
Steve
Senior Member
I was going to ask how a pair or run 'fails'. If you nail it or cut it or bend solid back and forth, yea, that's not good but I don't consider that a failure. I suppose having 22/4 just might give you a chance to find 2 remaining good wires but I would be concerned about the integrity of any wire that 'failed' like that. While Cat5 technically/electrically works for all of it (within current limits) and alot of people use it for everything, I agree with wuench and I prefer 22/2 or 22/4 for all security contacts. Aside from the can its also cleaner and easier at the door/window. Anyplace where you are running what may have a chance of getting hit by a nail you can use nail guards to protect the wire. And when you run it, suspend it or run it in a way to minimize future damage.
I planned to install whole house audio but i'm doing it with my audio request server and multi-zone expander. I don't know if ELK-M1 supports AudioRequest product. But I will still go with all you suggestion. Run extra speaker wire behind each keypad. But what is the benefit of running speakers behind the keypads? Also, what type of wire should I use to connect my hard wired dome security camera. I got this from monoprice. So now here a what I gathered from all your suggestions.
On my upper level, I will be installing the following:
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
2 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
3 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
1 motion sensor- run 22/4 to M1 location
2 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
Middle Floor
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
3 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
1 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
3 motion sensor- run 22/4 from each to M1 location
3 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
2 door sensor- run 22/2 wire from each location to M1 location
Basement
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
2 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
2 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
2 motion sensor- run 22/4 from each to M1 location
3 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
1 door sensor- run 22/2 wire to M1 location
1 window sensor - run 22/2 wire to M1 location
Please help me make correction accordingly. Any other suggestion will be welcome. Add to my list or remove. I will be posting my connection diagram soon. Am looking around for a software to draw my diagram. Any suggestion? If anyone also has a diagram, that will surely help. Once again I will like to thank everyone for their quick response.
On my upper level, I will be installing the following:
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
2 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
3 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
1 motion sensor- run 22/4 to M1 location
2 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
Middle Floor
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
3 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
1 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
3 motion sensor- run 22/4 from each to M1 location
3 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
2 door sensor- run 22/2 wire from each location to M1 location
Basement
1 security keypad- run only cat5e wire from there to the M1 location since I will be using the ELK-M1DBH data bus Hub
2 intercom in two rooms- run cat5e from location to M1 location
2 smoke detectors- run fire wire from each location to M1 location
2 motion sensor- run 22/4 from each to M1 location
3 cat5e for phone to M1 location
1 alarm speaker- run 18/2 wire to M1 location
1 door sensor- run 22/2 wire to M1 location
1 window sensor - run 22/2 wire to M1 location
Please help me make correction accordingly. Any other suggestion will be welcome. Add to my list or remove. I will be posting my connection diagram soon. Am looking around for a software to draw my diagram. Any suggestion? If anyone also has a diagram, that will surely help. Once again I will like to thank everyone for their quick response.
michelkenny
Active Member
22/4 means 22 gauge wire with 4 wires inside one cable.
Guys, does cat5e mhz speed matters when it comes to using it for automation only. I saw this on buy.com for cheap price. http://www.buy.com/prod/frisby-cat5e-1000f.../216746294.html
