In last year we spend a lot of time and effort to wire our new house by ourselves. To complete this job we took nearly 2 ½ months and it includes wiring, fixing electrical fittings, communication equipment, etc. In this post, we describe how we archive this task with some technical details.
Due to a large number of electrical points, we decided to use 3 phase electrical wiring in our house. To make it simpler we divide entire house wiring into 3 isolated circuits with 3 separate distribution boards. High-level design of our AC wiring systems is illustrated in the below diagram.
In the above circuit, the 3 phase AC line is first fed into 4-pole 40A isolator. Then it connected to 4-pole RCCB with 3 separate indicator lights. We use indicator lights to see the status of each phase, easily at any time. After RCCB we fed each phase into 3 separate distribution boards.
As seen in the diagram the first (phase) circuit is a bit complex due to the change-over-switch. We use change-over-switch to connect additional power source into AC line during the power failures. For the change-over-switch, we use DIN-rail type, 2-way 2-pole 40A change over switch. In here also we use two indicator lights to show both mains and external (generator) line status.
In our system, each single phase distribution board consist of 2-pole isolator, 2-pole RCCB, and 11 MCBs. For most of the circuits, we use 6A 1-pole, type-C MCBs. To identify each circuit we use colored wire markers.
Except for indicator lights and surge protectors, we use Hager - isolators, RCCBs, MCBs and switches in our wiring. We decided to use Hager because we got very good results with there products previously. In Sri Lanka, the biggest problem with Hager products is there limited availability and choice. (If someone wants more stylish sockets and switches, there are tons of options are available in the market like Orange Monaco or Scintilla series.)
At the wiring, we install few DIN-rail type surge protectors into some line, which deliver power to sensitives electronic equipment like CCTV systems, Ethernet switches, refrigerators, etc.
In addition to AC mains wiring we lay-down Cat 6 Ethernet cables to set up our Gigabit Ethernet network. We use Kelani Cat 6 wire for the network cabling. For the CCTV lines, we use RG-59 coaxial cable which comes with 18/2 power cable.
For us, the most time-consuming part of this task is fixing light fittings. We spend nearly one month for this task. At the wiring we setup 9U server rack to install both CCTV and network switching/routing equipment. To set up the Ethernet network we 24-port patch panel and 24-port D-Link Gigabit un-managed switch. For the routing, we use TP-Link ADSL2+ modem router.
Our CCTV system consists of 6 AVTECH outdoor HD CCTV cameras, AVTECH DVR and 12V-20A SMPS unit.
In this project, we bought most of the parts from Maharagama Electricals and from Martin Electricals. We purchase all network wires and related equipment from Sense Micro Distributors. For the wiring, we use only Orange and Kelani cables (even for network, telephone and CCTV lines).
While setting up the audio-visual room we face an issue to find suitable wall-outlet for speaker connections. Finally, we decided to build our own wall-outlet by using blank faceplates and banana jacks. For the speaker lines, we use standard 16-gauge speaker wires.
Compare with most the other projects this is quite interesting (, complex, expensive and time-consuming) project, but by doing this by ourselves finally, we were able to get exact same results which we expect at the beginning of this project.
Due to a large number of electrical points, we decided to use 3 phase electrical wiring in our house. To make it simpler we divide entire house wiring into 3 isolated circuits with 3 separate distribution boards. High-level design of our AC wiring systems is illustrated in the below diagram.
 |
| High-level electrical wiring diagram up to distribution boards |
In the above circuit, the 3 phase AC line is first fed into 4-pole 40A isolator. Then it connected to 4-pole RCCB with 3 separate indicator lights. We use indicator lights to see the status of each phase, easily at any time. After RCCB we fed each phase into 3 separate distribution boards.
As seen in the diagram the first (phase) circuit is a bit complex due to the change-over-switch. We use change-over-switch to connect additional power source into AC line during the power failures. For the change-over-switch, we use DIN-rail type, 2-way 2-pole 40A change over switch. In here also we use two indicator lights to show both mains and external (generator) line status.
 |
| 4-pole isolator and RCCB mount |
Except for indicator lights and surge protectors, we use Hager - isolators, RCCBs, MCBs and switches in our wiring. We decided to use Hager because we got very good results with there products previously. In Sri Lanka, the biggest problem with Hager products is there limited availability and choice. (If someone wants more stylish sockets and switches, there are tons of options are available in the market like Orange Monaco or Scintilla series.)
 |
| Phase 1 change-over switch and external power source connector |
At the wiring, we install few DIN-rail type surge protectors into some line, which deliver power to sensitives electronic equipment like CCTV systems, Ethernet switches, refrigerators, etc.
In addition to AC mains wiring we lay-down Cat 6 Ethernet cables to set up our Gigabit Ethernet network. We use Kelani Cat 6 wire for the network cabling. For the CCTV lines, we use RG-59 coaxial cable which comes with 18/2 power cable.
 |
| 6A type-C MCB and surge protective unit |
For us, the most time-consuming part of this task is fixing light fittings. We spend nearly one month for this task. At the wiring we setup 9U server rack to install both CCTV and network switching/routing equipment. To set up the Ethernet network we 24-port patch panel and 24-port D-Link Gigabit un-managed switch. For the routing, we use TP-Link ADSL2+ modem router.
Our CCTV system consists of 6 AVTECH outdoor HD CCTV cameras, AVTECH DVR and 12V-20A SMPS unit.
 |
| Network and CCTV cabinet |
In this project, we bought most of the parts from Maharagama Electricals and from Martin Electricals. We purchase all network wires and related equipment from Sense Micro Distributors. For the wiring, we use only Orange and Kelani cables (even for network, telephone and CCTV lines).
While setting up the audio-visual room we face an issue to find suitable wall-outlet for speaker connections. Finally, we decided to build our own wall-outlet by using blank faceplates and banana jacks. For the speaker lines, we use standard 16-gauge speaker wires.
Compare with most the other projects this is quite interesting (, complex, expensive and time-consuming) project, but by doing this by ourselves finally, we were able to get exact same results which we expect at the beginning of this project.
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