Low-Voltage Wiring: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Most homeowners can’t image their home without high-speed Internet, home automation, and home security systems. That’s why low-voltage wiring is so popular nowadays. If you’re a homeowner and want to install a low-voltage system or you’re going to do an electrical project, this guide will help you have a better understanding of low-voltage cabling and systems.

What is Low-voltage Wiring?

With the prevalent usage of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, home automation systems, communication systems, and security systems, more and more construction projects rely on low-voltage wiring. Low-voltage wiring carries electrical signals less than 50 volts; the common voltages are 12V, 24V, and 48V.

So, where is low-voltage wiring used? It can be used for various applications such as security and surveillance, IoT devices, and home automation systems. Here is a more detailed list:

Security System: Surveillance cameras, motion detectors, access control systems, and alarms.
Telephone System: Landlines, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system.
Internet System: WiFi, data communication system.
Audio and Video System: Audio systems, cable television, intercom systems.
Smart Home: Smart doorbells, lighting systems, thermostats, home automation controls.

Note: Different countries have different standards for low voltage. For example, the maximum level of low voltage is around 50V in the US, while in the UK, low voltage refers to a voltage that exceeds 50V AC and 120V DC, but it should not exceed 1000V AC or 1500V DC between two conductors or 600V AC or 900V DC between conductors and earth. In this blog, we adopt the low voltage standard for the US.

Low-Voltage vs. High-Voltage

Low-voltage and high-voltage wiring are two essential cabling for modern electrical systems. Do you know their differences and applications? We’ll dive into this topic in this part.

High-voltage is defined by IEC to carry an electrical signal higher than 1000V AC or 1500V DC. High-voltage system is designed for large devices as it has a high energy and it can be lethal for living things if not handled correctly. A high-voltage cabling can be used for residential, commercial, and industrial applications such as various high-power amplifiers, power plants, generators, and high-speed railway systems.

Compared to high voltage, low voltage is considered safer and is used for smaller devices. Due to the easy installation, the low-voltage system can be less expensive to install than the high-voltage system. Low-voltage systems can be more energy-efficient and streamlined with cable management. But high-voltage cables can transfer electricity at a longer distance than low-voltage cables.

Types of Low-Voltage Cabling

The low-voltage cabling or structured cabling is installed after the installation of the electrical system. The performance of a low-voltage system depends on cabling designs, airflow, cabling tools, and the quality of cables. Here are some common types of low-voltage cables:

Twisted pair cables: Twisted pair cables are widely used for network installation. These cables can transmit networking data in homes, offices, or server rooms. They can also be divided into CAT5, CAT5E, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT8 cables. These twisted pair cables are often terminated with 8P8C connectors, keystone jacks, or field termination plugs. CAT6 and CAT6A Ethernet cables are the types most often used in home network installation. CAT6A and CAT8 cables are often used for large business networks and data centers.
Coaxial cables: The coaxial cable is a type of copper cable that features a central conductor, an insulating layer, a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer. Coaxial cables are generally used for Internet, television, and security systems. The most commonly used coaxial cables are RG6, RG59, and RG11.
Fiber optic cables: Fiber optic cables provide a long-term future. They transmit data via a light pulse and are free of interference. Fiber optic cables are used in various applications such as cable television, Internet, remote sensing, and other industrial and commercial uses.
Speaker wires: The speaker wire is a type of electrical wire that transmits electrical signals between speakers and amplifiers. Speaker wires’ size ranges from 18 gauges to 12 gauges, and they can often be seen in home audio and video systems and other home theater applications.
Thermostat Wires: These low-voltage wires are used for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and thermostats, featuring multiple conductors that enable precise control of temperature settings and environmental comfort.

Low-voltage wires are more fragile than high-voltage wires, and incorrect operation can affect the cable performance. If you want to know more about Ethernet cables, please refer to this blog.

Future of Low-Voltage System

The evolving technology enables the development of low-voltage systems. As our world becomes more and more reliant on the low-voltage system, some trends and advancements will shape the future of low-voltage cabling.

5G Connectivity

The advent of 5G technology has a significant impact on low-voltage cabling. The need for higher data speeds and lower latency drives the development of an upgraded low-voltage cabling infrastructure to support 5G applications in residential or commercial use.
Smart Home and IoT Applications

Low-voltage cabling plays an essential role in smart home construction, and it can support growing numbers of IoT devices, ranging from smart appliances to environmental sensors.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

ChatGPT has seen the breakthrough of AI technology. AI-driven systems will optimize low-voltage networks for efficiency.
Development of Power over Ethernet (PoE)

PoE technology allows the cable to transmit data and power simultaneously. The development of PoE technology will expand traditional applications. PoE technology will not only power IP cameras but also various IoT devices. PoE reduces the need for two separate power sources.

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.