TL;DR — pull once, cry never
- Home-run Ethernet (Cat6a) from each room to a central low-voltage closet.
- Pre-wire ceiling APs with Cat6a + PoE where people actually use Wi-Fi.
- Run at least one fiber (single-mode) from demarc to closet for multi-gig and future ISP gear.
- Add conduit/microduct to tough runs and exterior entry—future-proofs without opening walls.
- Ventilated, powered panel with 2× duplex outlets and space for a 10–16-port 2.5G switch.
Goal: Reliable coverage, low latency, and clean upgrades for the next decade—without drywall do-overs.
Why structured wiring pays for itself
- Fewer callbacks: Wired backhaul and APs kill dead zones and streaming complaints.
- Higher resale: Listings with network panels and APs show up as “smart-home ready.”
- Cheaper upgrades: Conduit + spare drops = quick path to 2.5G/10G and Wi-Fi 7/8 later.
What to wire (Ethernet, fiber, coax, conduit)
- Ethernet (Cat6a recommended): One or more drops to desk/office, media center, TV locations, AP ceilings, and garage.
- Fiber (single-mode OS2): Demarc → closet; optional closet → office run for future 10G+ or ONT moves.
- Coax (RG-6): Media center and any legacy TV spots; enables MoCA if Ethernet is impossible.
- Conduit/microduct: From exterior demarc to closet; between floors; to hard-to-reach rooms/soffits for APs or cams.
Room-by-room drop counts (quick table)
| Location | Ethernet (Cat6a) | Coax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home office/den | 2–4 | 0–1 | Desk, phone, printer, VoIP/AP or spare |
| Living room / media | 3 | 1 | TV, console, streamer; prefer wired over Wi-Fi |
| Primary bedroom | 2 | 0–1 | TV + side wall spare |
| Secondary bedrooms | 1–2 | 0 | Optional TV/desk |
| Kitchen nook | 1 | 0 | Smart display or AP nearby |
| Garage/workshop | 1–2 | 0 | AP/cam/NAS/EV gear |
| Ceiling AP locations | 1 per planned AP | 0 | PoE+ at center of coverage zones |
| Exterior soffits | As needed | As needed | Cameras/APs; use UV-rated cable or conduit |
Rule of thumb: One AP per floor for ~1,800–2,500 sf; add a second when walls are dense (brick/plaster/foil-backed insulation).
Pre-wiring for Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs)
- Ceiling-centered drops in main living areas, upstairs landing, and office.
- PoE budget: Plan a switch with enough PoE+ (or PoE++) power for APs and cams.
- Backhaul: Wire APs to the switch—don’t rely on wireless backhaul in new builds.
- 6 GHz reality: 6 GHz is fastest in same/adjacent rooms—ceiling APs reduce walls and keep latency low.
Wiring closet & panel: power, cooling, space
- Location: Central interior wall; avoid hot garages/attics.
- Electrical: 2× duplex outlets (separate circuits if possible) + dedicated space for ISP ONT/modem.
- Rack/panel: 14–28″ structured panel or a shallow rack; leave slack and service loops.
- Switch & router: 2.5G (or 10G) capable; ventilation or louvered door to dissipate heat.
Cable types: Cat6 vs Cat6a, fiber choices
- Cat6a (recommended): Better alien-crosstalk control; supports 10G over longer runs—great for AP backhaul and future NAS.
- Cat6 (budget): Fine for 1G–2.5G short runs; consider Cat6a to APs and media centers.
- Fiber: Single-mode OS2 is universal and cheap; run a pull string or microduct alongside.
- Coax RG-6: Still useful for ISP and MoCA bridges where Ethernet isn’t feasible.
Code & best practices (quick)
- Follow low-voltage separation from AC power; cross at 90° if paths intersect.
- Use UL-listed low-smoke (CMP/CMR) cable appropriate to risers/returns.
- Label both ends, keep bend radius, and avoid tight staples—use LV brackets/clips.
- Firestop penetrations; protect exterior runs with conduit and drip loops.
Ready-to-bid checklist (5 minutes)
- Mark AP centers on the plan (one per floor minimum).
- Count drops per room using the table above; add two spares to the office and media wall.
- Choose cable: Cat6a to APs/media; Cat6a or Cat6 to bedrooms; single-mode fiber demarc→closet.
- Specify closet: panel size, outlets, ventilation, and switch/router shelf space.
- Conduit runs called out (demarc, between floors, exterior cams/soffits).
- Labeling standard (room-drop numbering) and a test requirement (certify runs).
Common misses: No power at the panel, no AP pre-wires, crammed panels with no airflow, and zero conduit at demarc. Fix on paper—cheap now, costly later.
Need a stamped plan or layout?
We design builder-grade, inspector-friendly wiring sets: AP layout, drop schedule, panel spec, and PoE budget—ready for your low-voltage bids. Talk to Design Request a Quote
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