Basic Residential Installation Guide Table of Contents Introduction 1 1. Important Safety and Installation Information 2 2. Local and Regional Considerations 3 3. System Overview 4 4. Description 5 5. Accessories 12 6. System Design 16 7. Pre-Wire 21 8. Trim Out 30 9. Documentation, Testing, and Troubleshooting 40 10. Warranty 46 Glossary 47 Appendix 52 Introduction More than ever, today’s homeowners are confronted with an expanded range of technologies and choices — with some hard decisions as a result. The three standard television channels of the 1950’s and 60’s, for example, have exploded into hundreds of digital cable and satellite choices. With Ethernet quickly replacing traditional satellite and cable options, video on demand and streaming video have given us the ability to watch almost anything at any time. Additionally, the quality of the incoming audio/video signal has evolved to the point where the luxury of a home theater is increasingly considered a standard feature. On top of all these new incoming home technologies, age-old needs such as security, convenience, and comfort are raising homeowner expectations in every area. Smarter lighting, better power quality, tracking energy efficiency, and more comprehensive home control are just some of the applications making the leap from luxury to everyday use. For more than 100 years, the name Leviton has been synonymous with quality in connectivity. From multimedia panels to surge-protected AC outlets, from three-way lighting to Cat 5e and Cat 6 cabling, Leviton’s highest level of products, skills, and resources are combined to make upgrading simpler and more sensible. LEVITON.COM | 800.824.3005 1 1. Important Safety and Installation Information For All Telecommunications Applications There are special safety considerations with telephone wiring that may be unknown by workers new to this field. The following guidelines should be followed closely to help avoid safety hazards, and ensure trouble-free installations and high-quality telephone service. This publication cannot, however, cover every aspect of safe installation and connection of telephone wiring. The contractor must follow local code requirements, including Article 800 of the National Electrical Code, and all rules or suggestions of the local telephone company and/or governmental and other regulatory agencies. High-Voltage Safety Test: Wire Separations: Experienced electrician's, at first contact, Telephone wiring systems must be installed to always assume that hazardous voltages may minimize the possibility of accidental contact exist in any wiring system. with hazardous power and lighting wiring. Never place telephone wiring near bare power wires or lightning A safety check, using a known, reliable voltage rods, antennas, transformers, steam or hot water pipes, or measurement or detection device, should be made heating ducts. Never place telephone wire in any conduit, box, immediately before work is started and whenever work is channel, duct, or other enclosure containing power or lighting resumed on any job. circuits of any type. Always provide adequate separation of telephone wiring and other electrical wiring according to code. Heart Pacemakers: When in doubt about separation distances, the “Rule of Sixes” Never attempt repair, installation, or modification can be used. This rule requires six feet of separation between of telephone equipment or wiring systems if you telephone wiring and open, high-voltage wiring, lightning wear a pacemaker. Pacemakers can be disrupted grounding wire, or grounding rods. It requires six inches of by telephone-circuit voltages and ringing-cycle frequencies. separation from all other high-voltage wiring unless in conduit. Lightning and High-Voltage Danger: Avoiding Shocks: Most electrical injuries involving telephone Fifty (50) to sixty (60) volts DC is normally wiring result from sudden, unexpected high present on an idle tip-and-ring pair. Ninety voltages on normally low-voltage wiring. (90) volt AC ringing current can deliver an Installers may relax their normal care when handling uncomfortable shock under certain circumstances. telephone wire because it is a low-voltage system. Consequently, always use insulated tools and avoid all However, telephone wiring can carry hazardous high contact with bare terminals and grounded surfaces. voltages under certain unsafe conditions. Never install To avoid being shocked, always disconnect the dial-tone or connect telephone wiring during electrical storms. service from the premise wiring while working. If you Improperly protected telephone wiring can carry a fatal cannot disconnect, take the telephone handset (receiver) lightning surge for many miles. Lightning exposure can off hook. The DC level will drop and normally no AC ringing also be a danger to telephone users. Therefore, jacks current will be delivered (be sure to replace the handset should never be installed in a position that would allow when work is completed). telephone use by a person while in a bathtub, hot tub, or Metallic Surfaces: Special caution is required when running swimming pool. All outside wiring must be equipped with telephone wire on or near metallic siding. Always check for properly grounded and listed signal circuit protectors. stray voltages present on any metallic surfaces. These protectors must be installed in compliance with the requirements of the local telephone company and Cutting and Drilling: Always observe trade safety rules applicable codes. Do not remove or modify protectors or for concealed wiring. Be extremely careful not to cut the grounding wire placed by the telephone company. through or drill into concealed wiring or pipes. Make a small Connections to telephone company independent grounding inspection opening before cutting or drilling. systems can be made only with the approval of the local Splicing: Common wire-splicing techniques may cause the telephone company. Do not run open wiring between wire to break and result in poor circuit integrity. This can structures where it may be exposed to lightning without cause interference in the form of static and noise on the line. proper protection. Avoid wiring in or near damp locations. Clean Contacts: Dust or dirt can cause special problems on telephone wiring contacts. Be sure all contacts are clean and that all parts are installed correctly to protect them from dust and dirt. 2 LEVITON.COM | 800.824.3005 2. Local and Regional Considerations Local Ordinances, Covenants, and Service Provider Coordination type of components in the enclosure, and certain wallplate Local Ordinances 2.1 configurations within the home. Your builder may specify Local ordinances require adherence to national and local certain Leviton Connected Home packages based on the electrical codes when installing AC and, in many instances, availability of these services. low-voltage wiring and devices. Make sure you follow all local ordinances and codes according to the Authority Alarm security services may also have a service Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) when installing a Leviton demarcation point, separate from normal telephone Connected Home system. For example, this manual refers service. Please check with a local security services to the use of mud rings instead of electrical boxes for provider to see if any such services will be offered. low-voltage wallplate locations. Your local area may require CATV may or may not be offered in your building area. If electrical boxes and conduit for all low-voltage wiring. not available immediately, CATV service is often added at In these cases, be sure to substitute the appropriate a future date and the wiring plan should provide for CATV type and size of outlet boxes and conduit to comply with service from a demarcation point into the house. local ordinances. Remember to use boxes and conduit of Please check with the CATV provider to determine the sufficient size to accommodate and meet the cable pull, number of service entrance cables you will need. In cable fill, and cable service loop requirements listed in some communities, two or more cables may be required Chapters 5 and 6 of this Installation Manual. to offer alternative CATV services, or to provide an increased number of cable channels. You must 2.2 Covenants and Builder Considerations duplicate the number of required cables from the CATV Your local community may have certain covenants demarcation point to the SMC and to the CATV jacks that specify location of service entrance and/or in the home. Typically, the CATV provider will provide demarcation points for CATV, telephone, and other a signal level of 0 dBmV to 15 dBmV. The signal level special communications services. External jacks and TV at the demarcation point will dictate whether a video antenna outlets also may be restricted. External satellite amplifier is required prior to video splitters. antenna, TV antenna, and outdoor speaker locations may If CATV is available, check to see if cable modems are be restricted, prohibited, or limited to certain locations in available for high-speed Internet access. Some cable your area. modem providers want a direct run from the CATV In addition to local covenants, your builder may have demarcation point to the location of the cable modem. design requirements specifying the location of central A TV antenna and/or Direct Service Select (DSS) antenna wiring locations (the location of the Leviton Structured and provision for DSS distribution throughout the home Media® enclosure within the home). Also, the builder may from the