Low Voltage Wiring

The City Building Inspector only cared about the high voltage AC of my project. When I mentioned I wanted to intsall HDMI, speaker wire, 1GbE wire, and RG6 coax cable, he said do it, but it would not require inspection. I plan to work with a system integrator to complete this part of the project.

I am laying the groundwork for the next 10-20 years of audio enjoyment. I been around the country becoming my own system integrator. I am the lead owner-builder on the project, doing most of work via subcontractors or personally. I am also the architect, specifying almost every product.

My hope is the integrate all these products into a cohesive unity of lovely symbiosis.

Current Displays
Sony Playstation 3D Display
HP Elite L2201x
Lenovo ThinkVision L220X CCFL LCD Display

Aspirational Displays Computer
Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display
Dual LG 34UM95-P Displays

Aspirational Displays Entertainment
Active 3D 55”-65″ 4K LED LCD with Localized Dimming
Sony XBR-65X950B
Sony XBR-55X850A
Sony XBR-55HX950

Blu-Ray Player
Sony 3D Wi-Fi BDP-BX58

DVD Recorder
Toshiba DVD Recorder

Color Calibration
X-Rite ColorMunki Display

Left Ear Fidelity
Phonak ComPilot
Phonak Brio R-312RT

Headphones
Sony Pulse Elite Wireless Headset

Current Receiver Portfolio
Denon AVR-610
Nakamichi AV-3s
Nakamichi TA-1A
Nakamichi AV-10
Yamaha neoHD YMC-500

Aspirational Receiver Requirements
HD Radio Built-In
Dolby Atmos Built-In
Bluetooth to connect with Phonak System

Aspirational Receiver
Yamaha RX-A800
Yamaha RX-A1030
Yamaha RX-A1040
Yamaha RX-A2030
Yamaha RX-A2040
Yamaha RX-A1000, RX-A1010, RX-A1020, RX-A2000, RX-A2010, RX-A2020, RX-A3000, RX-A3010

Current Home Theater PC
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180 Windows Media Center
Lenovo Q190 Windows Media Center
Six network available ATSC HDHomeRun tuners

Current Speaker sets
B&W DM 310 Stereo Set
Vandersteen 2Ce Stereo Set
JBL Studio 180 4 Channel Set
JBL Studio 120C Center Channel

Aspirational Loudspeakers/Subs
Genelec G Series
Harman Revel Performa3 Stereo Set
Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
JBL Studio 1 SUB150P

1GbE Wired Network
TrippLite SmartPro 750VA rack mount line interactive sine wave UPS
Netgear ProSafe 24-port 1GbE smart switch GS724T

Interconnects
SANUS HDMI
AudioQuest
Belden 1309A Building Speaker Wire
Belden CAT5e, RG6 COAX, and 1GbE patch cable
monoprice.com Additional Interconnects

Current Control/Automation/Monitoring
ThinkEco Modlet System

Aspirational Control/Automation/Monitoring
Control 4
WattStopper Miro
Legrand Adorne
elgato eve
elgato avea

Typical Resellers
newegg.com
crutchfield.com
bhphotovideo.com
magnoliaav.com
pacificsales.com
ebay.com

Working with a Scaffolding Contractor

Some aspects of construction I’ve not had the pleasure to perform. I did not handle the live electrical leads from the local power utility to the service panel. I did not make the final circuit connections at the main or sub-panels. I could have purchased scaffolding frames, planks, and level legs, but chose to select a local experienced scaffolding contractor instead. I hope in the short run, it will save money.

The assembly crew arrived at 7 AM for a 3 hour assembly of approximately 100 linear feet by 18 ft high scaffolding. My roof line is quit complex, so the various levels of the scaffolding also varies considerably to accommodate the level changes. I have learned many tips for the next scaffolding order, and wanted to share them, so the reader does not share in the frustration I’ve experienced while the planks and frames on my jobsite.

Safety is the 1st concern. Clear the jobsite on any obstacles for either the plaster or masonry scaffold frames. Have a plan for the contractor to work their way around the building, noting any special restrictions when it come to locations and widths. I have several constrictions around the building, and my contractor especially fabricated some frames, which is very convenient. Where lower roofs or ledges may interfere make sure the distance from the workplane to the first scaffold plank is maintained. One several locations around my building, the frame is pushed out beyond the maximum safe distance, or impedes flexibility by not allowing plank movement.

OSHA guidelines recommend a maximum of 18″ separation from 1st plank to work surface. International standard use a 0.5 meters standard, so technically you can maintain a 19-5/8″ gap between the plank and wall, and not violate any safety protocols. As the jobsite installation requirements moves from windows, flashing, weather proofing, to exterior cladding, the planks need to accommodate that variety too. I tried to maximize my plank location to 18″ from the wall surface, but there are several frames that were set too close, and I had to remove a plank, making the 36″ walkway just 24″ which can increase fall risk.

I should have made a scaffolding floorplan or elevation plan, and signed off with the contractor exactly where each level and position fell, to aid in window and door installation. I found myself upside down on the scaffolding planks installing heavy large windows. In one location, the headroom from level to level is under 5′ which forces a constant assembly and disassembly of the planks. With a complex roofline, I would have preferred a slightly higher final plank level, instead of going up and down discontinuous plank heights.

The contractor, for unknown reasons, on a few levels, left just one 12″ scaffold plank, instead of the 36″ wide plank boards, removing any margin of safety. I have not found any difference between solid wood planks to engineered planks in terms of stiffness. It took weeks to get used to the springy nature of the scaffolding, but if installed properly, that becomes an irrational fear. My contractor agreed to bring additional planks, once I complained too.

The scaffolding system allows me to perform faster and safer than any ladder jack, pump-jack, or other system. Careful considerations before the scaffolding crew arrives makes the job so much better.