Structured cabling in the home
2
2. The basics
Depending on the systems that have to be cabled, we generally use two cabling
methods. The first is to connect from component to component. This method is used, for example, when the operating points of an integrated home system are connected to a bus system via a decentralised interface. In practice, we come across this form
of cabling in the EIB/KNX integrated home system.
Figure 1:
Connection of operating points to the same bus cable. (Illustration source: E&D Systems)
The advantage of this form of cabling is that only a few connections have to be
made. The disadvantage is that there will be a greater loss of function when the
cable is damaged. A second cabling method, that we will use a lot more in practice, is
star cabling or “home run”. Every component is connected to a central point by its own cable. There are many examples of this, such as the telephones that are
connected to the local telephone exchange with their own cabling, or the speakers of a multi-room s ystem that are connected to the central amplifiers with their own
cabling as well. The most well known example is probably the computer network where every computer has its own connection to the hub or router.
cable is damaged. A second cabling method, that we will use a lot more in practice, is
star cabling or “home run”. Every component is connected to a central point by its own cable. There are many examples of this, such as the telephones that are
connected to the local telephone exchange with their own cabling, or the speakers of a multi-
cabling as well. The most well known example is probably the computer network where every computer has its own connection to the hub or router.