If you’re thinking about building a new home,consider this: adding a structured cabling systemto your plans will help connect all your house-hold computers, peripherals, phone, Internet,audio, video, cable and other systems into onemanageable and efficient network.

The advantages are phenomenal. Got aspare room you’d like to turn into an office? Noproblem—with structured cabling, RJ45 Eth-ernet jacks are already there, ready to hook youup to broadband Internet. Care to watch a tele-vision show in your bedroom that was recordedearlier on TiVo (DVR) in the home theater? Justpress a few buttons, and you’re ready to go.

How It WorksStructured cabling connects every room on adirect wire run to a central distribution centerthat manages and distributes signals through-out the home. Typically combined into a singlebundle consisting of twisted strands of category

5/6 wire for data and communica-tions and two RG-6 coaxial cables forvideo, structured cabling providesbuilt-in future-proofing. There will al-ways be plenty of wires available forfuture use if, for example, you want toadd a phone or fax machine at a laterdate. Yet the price is surprisingly rea-sonable—high-performance category5/6 wire costs about the same as old-fashioned telephone wire.

Increase Home’s ValueAccording to the Leviton Institute,structured cabling increases the valueof the home, and can be included inthe mortgage. It’s no wonder that 49%of new homes are being built withsome kind of structured cabling sys-tem (source: National Association ofHomebuilders).

Networking Made SimpleWith connections throughout virtu-ally every room in the house, struc-tured cabling makes home net-working easy to implement andtidy—since all wiring is behind thewalls. Here are just a handful ofbenefits it affords:• Share files, peripherals (printers,

scanners, etc.), and Internet accesswith all computers in house.

• Listen to a personalized music li-brary in any room in the house.

• Monitor safety of family memberswith security cameras from any TVin the house, or while away fromhome, from any PC over the Internet.

• Distribute cable or satellite signalsthroughout home.

• Use as “backbone”of system com-bined with wireless network.g

F R O M T H E L E V I T O N I N S T I T U T E

Fight High Energy Bills With Modern Lighting Tips

U nless you’ve been out of town—makethat way out of town—you already knowhow much the cost of energy has shot up

recently. By last summer, the average nationalprice of home heating oil had risen to $2.43 a

gallon, more than twice the price of four yearsago, according to the US Energy InformationAdministration. With the ongoing volatility inthe Middle East, the shut down of the Alaskanpipeline, and cold weather just around the cor-

ner, prices may not drop anytime soon. The average American household now spends

around $1,900 a year on their utility bill; nowonder people are looking to reduce energy costsany way they can. According to the Leviton Insti-tute, one of the easiest and most cost-effectiveways is with new lighting technologies. Simple toinstall and use, they can make a big difference inyour monthly expenses and add convenienceand elegance to your lifestyle, too. Here are somenew lighting control devices you can install inyour home and their advantages.

Dimmers • Use less electricity and save you money (dim

a bulb 50%, use 40% less electricity).• Can extend bulb life up to 20 times.• Create atmosphere anywhere in your home;

ideal for entertaining in living or diningrooms, or watching movies in your hometheater.

• Add a sleek, elegant touch with their mod-ern designer-styled lines wherever you in-stall them.

Motion Detectors• Save money by keeping outdoor flood-

lights near buildings and walkways off untilyou walk near them, then safely light yourway home.

• Offer good protection against prowlers andbreak-ins.

Occupancy Sensors• Offer hands-free convenience and added safe-

ty, especially for toddlers and seniors, by auto-matically turning on lights when a room isentered, and off again after a set time periodonce it is vacated.

• Are great for basements, laundry rooms, hall-ways, garages—any place where lights mayaccidentally be left on long after you’ve al-ready left.

• Install in place of a normal wall switch.

Digital Timers• Ideal for controlling lights, heat lamps, ex-

haust fans, hot tubs and spas, for a pre-settime interval.g

HOME ELECTRICITYVOL. 14

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Modern designer-styled dimmers cut back on lighting expense and add atmosphere and elegance.

Helpful hints on

$3.00

$0.00

$2.50

$2.00

$1.50

$1.00

$0.50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Information courtesy U.S. Energy Information Administration

Per Gallon Cost to Heat Your Home with Oil

Network Your Home With Today’s Structured Cabling Technology

With structured cabling, home networking is a snap.

Fall Safety Issue

Safety Tips for a Happy Holiday SeasonW here does the time go? Summer seems

like just weeks ago, then the daysstarted getting shorter, and now sud-

denly the holidays are right around the corner.Hot cocoa, pumpkin pie, icicles on the eaves, acold wind rattling the windows (if you live inPalm Springs, make believe)… a good time tostart thinking about putting up some lights anddecorations.

It’s also a good time to get reacquaintedwith holiday safety tips. Unfortunately, holidayfires injure 2,600 people and cause over $930million in damages every year, according to theUnited States Fire Administration (USFA). Fol-low these suggestions from the Leviton Institute,and keep your holidays happy and trouble-free.

The Light StuffTheir warm glow makes our holidays bright,but twinkling strings of lights can be danger-ous. It’s hard to believe, but the current in one7.5 watt Christmas light, if passed through thechest, is enough to kill an adult in less than asecond. How to protect yourself?• Check old and new light sets for fraying wires,

cracked or broken sockets, and loose connec-tions. Throw out ones that don’t make thegrade.

• Look for the label of an approved testing lab,like UL or CSA, before buying lights.

• Limit the number of linked strands of lightsto three.

• Make sure outdoor lights (and extensioncords) have been rated for outdoor use, and

are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Inter-rupter to prevent serious shock or electrocution.Outdoor outlets should have weatherproofcovers.

• Turn off all lights when you leave the houseand while you’re sleeping.

• Never use lights on a metallic tree; a faultywire could cause the whole tree to becomeelectrified.

• Use only special hooks or insulated stapleswhen securing lights to trees or walls; regu-lar staples and tacks can cut through insula-tion and cause a short.

OverextensionSo many plugs, so little time… • When connecting light strands, hook them

up to each other first, then to the extensioncord, and then the outlet.

• Be careful not to overload an outlet, as it cancreate a fire hazard. Signs of trouble includeflickering or dimming lights, outlets or ex-tension cords that feel warm to the touch, ora blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.

• Don’t run extension cords under carpets ordoors, another potential fire-starter.

Child’s PlayKids and holidays—they go together. A littlecaution while decorating should keep it thatway.• Always place the lowest strand of lights and

decorations above the reach of infants andtoddlers.

• Kids like to pull on wires and extension cords.Make sure you minimize these hazards asmuch as possible.

• If you want to see what is tempting to a two-

year-old, it’s best to do it from their level—on your hands and knees.

Pet PatrolDon’t forget those other family members, our(mostly) four-legged pals.• As with children, make sure your pets can’t

reach tinsel, ornaments, or lights. Also be

sure to keep your dog or cat away from litcandles to prevent a fire hazard.

• Keep pets away from holiday plants, many ofwhich are poisonous, such as mistletoe (es-

pecially the berries), poinsettias, ivy, amaryllisor holly.

• To prevent your pet from drinking the waterin the tree stand and getting sick, make sureit’s covered.

• If your pet is large enough to accidentallyknock over the tree, secure the tree to the wallor ceiling with fishing line.g

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Seasonal Safety: Make sure your pet can’t reach tinsel, ornaments or lights.

The Automated House Comes of AgeT ime was when the term “automated

home” brought to mind something outof a science-fiction movie, the kind where

a robot housekeeper brings you a perfectly-mixed martini before dinner, or where bedsautomatically make themselves without you

having to lift a finger.Alas, a robotic servant that understands the

proper gin-vermouth ratio in a dry martini is stilla long way off. But home systems featuringsophisticated whole-house audio and lightingcontrol have actually been available for some

time. Problem is, they have tendedto be expensive, unreliable, andcomplicated.

Lower Price, More OptionsOver the last few years this haschanged. According to the LevitonInstitute, advances in technologyhave brought the price of homecontrol systems down and im-proved their dependability. And adegree in advanced physics is nolonger necessary to operate them.Today, reasonably priced homecontrol systems offer a dazzlingarray of options, from fully pro-grammable lighting control tomanagement of appliances, HVAC,access control and security, homeentertainment, windows and cov-erings, and more.

What’s Right for You?At the most basic level are starter systems thatcome with a remote control and some lampmodules. Plug a module into an outlet, thenplug a lamp into the module. You can turn thelights on or off, either individually or in pre-programmed groups, by using a convenient re-mote control. Additional lamp, wall switch orappliance modules can be purchased sepa-rately and added later.

More flexibility is available with full-func-tion scene and zone controllers that dim orturn on groups of lights at specific times foradded atmosphere, security, energy conserva-tion and savings.

The bigger the system, the more elaboratethe options: deluxe home theaters and whole-house sound and media systems are popular.You can even outfit your bathroom with music,a phone and a video touch screen to transformthe one room in your home reserved for privacyinto a high-tech space. A digital control systemor PC interface and software serves as the brainof these systems, communicating to modulesand components (and back) through thehome’s power lines, structured cabling system,or even wirelessly.

With the price of energy being what it isthese days, it’s no wonder that many systemsinclude a controllable thermostat. These savemoney by turning down the heat or air-condi-tioning when you’re not around during the day,or at night when you’re sleeping.

And for when you’re not at home, an auto-mated security system can help you keep an eyeon things. When tripped, a motion detector cantrigger any number of pre-programmed events,from activating a blaring siren, turning oninside or outside lights, or calling pre-set tele-phone numbers or a central monitoring sta-tion. Add a video surveillance camera and ap-propriate hardware and software and a cameraor two and you can monitor your residencefrom anywhere in the world through the Inter-net, or just keep tabs on your kids when you’rehome.

The Scalable System: A Perfect FitThe choice is yours: start with a few modulesfor selected lights and appliances, or go for awhole-house system with programmable capa-bilities and then some. It’s all up to you. But fornow, you’ll still have to make that martiniyourself.gAutomated homes set the scene for sophisticated lighting control.

The world became a safer place on July 28,2006, when Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is-sued tough new safety standards for GroundFault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). Already cred-ited with saving hundreds of lives since theirintroduction in 1972, GFCIs now offer the addi-tional protection of a helpful line-load mis-wiring diagnostic and an end-of-life feature.

But what exactly does that mean to you, theconsumer? Take this True or False test from theLeviton Institute and find out.1. I already have GFCI-equipped out-

lets installed in my house, so I haveall the protection I need.

2. I don’t need GFCIs since I alreadyhave circuit breakers in my panelbox.

3. All new GFCIs manufactured mustmeet the new UL standard.

4. I’ll be safe from shock just as longas I keep appliances like my hair-dryer, curler, and radio away fromthe sink or tub; I don’t really need aGFCI.

5. The National Electrical Code (NEC)requires GFCIs in more rooms thanjust the kitchen and bathroom.

Answers:1. False. Corrosion, improper installa-

tion, or voltage surges can causeGFCIs to fail. That’s why all GFCIsshould be tested monthly. Some unitscan be reset even though compro-mised, giving you a false sense ofsecurity. The new end-of-life featureprevents this by either blocking offpower if the unit fails an internaltest, or giving a visual or aural indi-cation that the device must be re-placed. If installed with the wiresreversed, the new line-load mis-wiring feature blocks the power.

2. False. GFCIs and circuit breakerswork in different ways. Circuitbreakers monitor for overloads orshort circuits in a wire, shutting offpower if current levels get too high.

GFCIs monitor a circuit to detect currentloss caused by a ground fault (what mightoccur if you happen to touch an applianceat the same time as a grounded object suchas a water faucet). Instead of flowingthrough the circuit as it normally would,the current will flow through you to theground, causing severe shock, burn, orelectrocution.

3. True. GFCIs manufactured as of July 28,2006, must meet the new UL standards, butmanufacturers and retailers can still sell olderstock made before that date. Check the prod-uct information on the box to be sure you’regetting the most up-to-date technology.

4. False. Sometimes it’s impossible to detectthe danger of a ground fault. For example, aloose wire inside an appliance could be anunseen disaster waiting to happen.

5. True. The NEC requires GFCIs within six feetof water sources in kitchens or bathrooms, bykitchen countertops, laundry rooms, unfin-ished basements, garages, and crawl spaces, aswell as in outdoor areas.g

Test Your Electrical Safety Knowledge With This GFCI Quiz

A nother year, another blackout. In Queens,New York, aging high-voltage feedercables, overworked by increasing de-

mands for electricity on a hot summer night inJuly, plunged areas of the borough into darkness.100,000 residents were left without electricity forup to nine days in the sweltering city heat.

The incident, while tiny in comparison tothe massive blackout of 2003 that left 50 mil-lion people across the Northeast and parts ofCanada in the dark, serves as a reminder ofjust how dependent we are on electricity tokeep the essentials—air conditioners, refriger-ators, and computers—running at our homesand businesses, and how vulnerable we are toextreme weather.

That’s why more and more people arechoosing to have a portable generator on handas blackout insurance. These are available insizes ranging from small gasoline-poweredmodels for the home, to powerful natural gasor diesel units rated for commercial or indus-trial use. But before you rush out to buy one,there are some things that the Leviton Instituterecommends you keep in mind.

Watts Up?The first thing to do is determine what sizegenerator is right for you. First, make a list ofappliances and lights that are absolutely es-sential to keep running in the event of a black-out. Then add up their total wattage. Keep inmind that motor-driven appliances like refrig-erators or freezers need four times as muchpower to start as they do to run, so be sure yourgenerator can provide that extra wattage.

For example, if a refrigerator is rated at 400

watts, it will require 1600 watts to start; start-ing with less wattage could damage or burnout the motor. If you’re running a refrigeratorand freezer that might start at the same time,

then you must add both their wattages andmultiply that amount by four to be on the safeside, then select the generator with the nearesthigher rating.

Generator Do’s and Don’tsDO plug appliances directly into the generatorif possible, or use an outdoor, heavy-duty ex-tension cord rated no less than the wattage ofthe sum of all connected appliances (wattage =amperage x 125 volts). You can also have aqualified electrician connect a generator direct-

ly to your house wiring according to local elec-trical codes, or find out from your local utilitycompany about installing a power transferswitch.

DON’T try to power up your house by plug-ging the generator directly into a wall outlet,or “backfeeding.” This dangerous practice notonly endangers you by bypassing protectioncircuits in your own house, it also threatensneighbors connected to the same transformer,as well as utility workers who are working inthe area.

DO prevent shock or electrocution by keep-ing the generator dry and out of the rain (erecta canopy over it if necessary).

DON’T use a portable generator indoors.They produce carbon monoxide (CO) whichcan quickly build up to poisonous levels inenclosed or partially enclosed areas. Symptomsinclude weakness, dizziness, sickness or nau-sea; if you experience any of these, get somefresh air immediately. According to the Con-sumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), atleast 228 CO poisoning deaths were caused byportable generators between 1990 and 2003.

DO place the generator far away enoughfrom the house to prevent CO from comingindoors, and just to be on the safe side, be sureto install CO alarms (with battery backup) inyour house when using a generator.

DON’T store fuel such as gasoline or ker-osene in your house, or near a fuel-burningappliance like a water heater in an enclosedarea like a garage.

DO let a generator cool down before refill-ing the fuel tank; spilled gasoline could igniteon a hot generator.g

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Fall Safety Issue

F R O M T H E L E V I T O N I N S T I T U T E

HOME ELECTRICITYHelpful hints on

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Generators—Good Blackout Insurance

A generator can help keep the essentials runningduring a blackout.

Keep on hand:

• Batteries, flashlights, portable radios,

one gallon of water per person per day

and a supply of non-refrigerated food

that can be eaten without cooking.

• Standard, non-cordless telephone or

cell phone.

• Cash and a full tank of gas– cash

machines won’t be working and nei-

ther will gas station pumps.

Also:

• Never use candles for lighting; they can

cause a fire.

• Turn off stoves, ovens, and other

appliances to prevent heavy start up

loads that could cause secondary

blackouts when power is restored.

• Leave one light or radio on so you’ll

know when the blackout is over.

• Keep water and food on hand for

your pets.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors

closed to prevent food from spoiling.

What to do until thelights come back on

P O W E R S A F E T Y T I P

Proven Lifesavers: New GFCI featuresmake your home even safer.

Fall Safety Issue

Are High Energy Costs Burning You Up?Try a Portable Space Heater

T he recent spike in home heating costshas driven many homeowners to be moreconscientious about conserving energy.

Now, with winter upon us, the question of howto stay warm and cut utility bills at the sametime has taken on even more urgency.

One possible solution: portable space heat-ers. Reasonably priced ($15-$100) and rel-atively inexpensive to run, they provide con-centrated heat in one spot so you can keep thethermostat lower in the rest of the home. A1500-watt heater, enough to warm an aver-age-sized room, can keep you comfortablytoasty throughout the chilly winter seasonwhile delivering considerable energy savings.(Lowering the thermostat from 70° F to 65° Fcan save about 25% on home heating costs,depending on where you live.)

Are They Right for You?The Leviton Institute recommends usingportable heaters, particularly if you spend alot of time in one area of the house, or ifyou occasionally need one to warm up achilly room. But if you or other family mem-bers are moving throughout the house ac-ross a number of different rooms, the use ofportable heaters is not the answer for you.

Radiant vs. ConvectionThere are two kinds of portable electricheaters, radiant and convection.

Radiant heaters work like bathroomheat lamps; they generate infrared radia-tion that warms people or objects (floors,walls, desks) directly within their beam.They work best in places like garages andworkshops.

Convection heaters warm the air in theroom either by natural convection or by blow-ing air over a hot element with a fan. Some

feature a convenient thermostat that automat-ically switches the heater on if the room starts tocool. There are three different types:

• Ceramic convection heaters are small,very portable, and have relatively low operat-ing temperatures.

• Wire element heaters, with their efficientair circulation, typically heat up a room quickly.

• Radiator-style oil or water-filled heat-ers are quiet (no fan), and are equipped withwheels for easy movement. They continue toradiate heat even in their off-cycle.

Keep It SafeBecause portable heaters contain a heating ele-ment, they can be dangerous if used carelessly.Please keep in mind the following tips to en-sure safe and trouble-free operation.• Location: Always place the heater on a flat,

non-flammable surface (i.e., no rugs or car-pets) away from steady traffic. Keep kids andpets away, and make sure all flammable mate-rial (bedding, drapes, furniture, clothes) is atleast three feet away. Never use them to drythings off.

• No Tipping: Make sure your heater has allthe latest safety features, like an automaticcut-off switch that prevents fires by shutting itoff if it tips over, and more guarding aroundthe heating coils.

• Approved Safety: Like all appliances, yourportable heater should be UL or CSA ap-proved, which is your assurance it’s been prop-erly tested.

• Supervision: Never use a portable heaterwhen sleeping, or leave one unattended whenyou leave the house, even to run a quick errand.

• Extensions: Don’t use an extension cordunless you absolutely have to, in which caseread the Owner’s Manual to learn the propergauge and type.g

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P-2776/k6 sk K-6©2006 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Keep flammable material like bedding or drapes at least three feet away from portable heaters.

L E V I T O N P O W E R T I P

Wireless Wonder: Getting “Meshed” UpHome automation is all about a reliable control network:

the better the system distributes information throughout

the house, the more efficiently it works. According to the

Leviton Institute, one of the most effective and popular

home automation technologies today, and one that holds

great promise for the future, is the wireless mesh network.

A mesh network consists of separate modules, each

equipped with a 2-way radio frequency (RF) control cir-

cuit. It consists of plug-in modules for lamps and appli-

ances, wall-mounted switches and dimmers, as well as

temperature control devices, security controls, and other

home control devices. If, for example, you wish to turn on

a lamp plugged into one of the modules, a Controller can

be used to send an RF signal to that specific module. In

older RF systems, the signal could be blocked by a wall,

a large appliance or furniture. With a mesh network, if

something blocks the signal along the way, the network

automatically reroutes the signal through other modules

or “nodes,” until it reaches its destination.

This ingenious, “self-healing” feature of a mesh network

is what makes it so reliable. Truly “scalable,” it can be used

to control just the home’s lighting, or operate a larger “intel-

ligent” system that incorporates intruder and fire detection,

HVAC, energy management and appliance control. The

“Z-Wave Alliance,” a group of more than 125 manufac-

turers, has adopted the Zensys Z-Wave® mesh network wire-

less technology as an industry standard to communicate

between their products. Today’s newest lighting controls operate over a wireless network.