With the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) now well under way, the concept of Fibre to the Home (FTTH) is growing rapidly across the nation.

Smart wiring in the residential sector is already designed to handle and distribute home technology with guaranteed performance, while training and accreditation programs are backed by industry heavyweights such as the CEDIA and the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).

In response to this rapid uptake, the Smart Wired Consortium – which was launched five years ago as a home connectivity industry body – is reaching out to the broader building and IT industries with the creation of the Smart Home Code of Practice, as well as two accompanying handbooks for installers and consumers.

This new initiative was introduced at the Connected Home Conference in October, which examined the infrastructure and the implementation of the NBN rollout and provided insights into how the issues could be resolved.

A recent survey conducted by the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the Copper Development Centre (CDC), a member of the Smart Wiring Consortium, shows that some form of smart wiring is now present in just over one third of all new homes nationally, with a particularly strong uptake in Queensland and Western Australia.

The research also found that smart wiring now has universal recognition in the building industry and strong brand awareness among customers who are increasingly approaching builders for more information.

The Smart Wiring Consortium aimed to take hold of this momentum and create an open Code of Practice that could be used alongside the NBN rollout.

CDC chief executive John Fennel says the Code will define the specific technical functionalities of a home (such as automation and entertainment), as well as standardise the cabling and wiring requirements to make it happen.

“The rollout of fibre to the home is probably one of the most significant events to happen in this country for a very long time, but it will be a largely lost opportunity if we don’t address distribution inside the home,” he says.

“Super fast broadband will have a profound impact on our homes and the way we live in them. We need to make sure that they can respond efficiently and flexibly.”

Code of Practice for Home Wiring

The objective of this Code of Practice is to describe the minimum wiring requirements to support residential services, including those required for energy management. Symbols are used to show that the installed wiring platform is able to provide a minimal level of a given service.

The following residential systems are covered by this: age and assisted living; communications; digital home health; energy management; entertainment; intelligent lighting and power; as well as security and safety. The document is aimed at architects, building companies and consultants, wiring contractors, electronic systems professionals and engineers.

As this is a more technical-based Code of Practice, it does not cover any potential consumer protection against issues that may arise in the implementation of this material. It’s also important to note that the symbols will not prevent the use of wireless or power line carrier technology which many be used as a supplement to the wired infrastructure.

If a situation arises where the Australian Building Code requirements conflict with the recommendations or requirements of this Code of Practice, the Australian Building Code will take precedence.

Installer cabling handbook for residential wiring

The aim of this handbook is to provide a how-to guide for the installer to install the minimum cabling requirements to support residential services, which may also include those required for energy management.

The document does not specify the technologies that enable those services but provides a step-by-step guide for the installer to meet the specifications of the consumer and recommendations in the Code of Practice for Home Wiring.

The following services are covered by this handbook: communication; entertainment; residential energy management; security; digital home health; age and assisted living; as well as light and power.

The handbook sets out what is considered to be best practices in the installation of the cabling infrastructure and requires that all cabling is installed and tested in accordance with existing Standards in the Code of Practice.

A step-by-step process is also included, which covers the bases of planning the installation, quotation, cabling, testing and commissioning and finally, documentation.

The Code of Practice for Home Wiring is distinct from, but compliant with, ISO/IEC 7498-1:1994(E) which provides a common basis for the coordination of Standards for the purpose of information systems interconnection.

This Code applies to all domestic residences including SDU and MDU (separate, semi-detached, row and terrace homes, flats, units and apartments).