The Siemon Co. (www.siemon.com) has launched the Siemon Home Cabling System. The company says the system lets homeowners enjoy digital video, high-speed Internet access, computer networking, home theater, and other technologies.
The Command Center, the centerpiece of the system, is an enclosure that accommodates the distribution of voice, video, audio, and data services throughout a home. Siemon offers a complete line of distribution and mounting panels for use in the enclosure. Distribution panels can be used to distribute voice and fax lines, Category 5e, Category 6, optical-fiber, and coaxial cable. Mounting panels are also available to secure hubs or other active equipment within the enclosure. The Command Center is available in three sizes: 10, 20, and 36 inches.
"Our new residential product line incorporates some of Siemon's most popular connectivity products, such as MAX jacks, MC patch cords, and S110 connecting blocks, along with a new set of components designed to meet the unique aesthetic and applications requirements of today's homeowner," says CK Siemon, vice president of reseller services.
This system is available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages, which "fill the needs of three respective home sizes," says Keith Smith, RCDD, national sales manager for the home-cabling system. The Bronze package will handle up to a maximum of 11 voice outlets, 6 data outlets, and eight video outlets. Each kit has a different number of faceplates to provide solutions for a number of situations. The Silver package accommodates up to 23 voice, 12 data, and eight video outlets. The Gold package, based upon a built-in patch panel, can accommodate up to any combination of 36 changeable jacks, along with a maximum of 32 video outlets.
The Siemon Co. has decided to open its residential system to all major vendors of Category 5 cable, rather than partner with a specific cable maker. Smith says, "The further nature of residential warranties is truly different from the commercial world. Each product vendor typically stands behind its own product to meet or exceed TIA standards. For this reason, a residential integrator or installer can offer a labor warranty and be fully backed up by a manufacturer's product warranty. As with the commercial side, we still enjoy a close partnership with CommScope (www.commscope.com) and its residential cable. Siemon also offers a line of Category 5e, Category 6, Category 7, and RG-6 quad-shield cables in our catalog."
The system will be sold through electrical, security, and commercial voice/ data distributors. Siemon has created a two-day Residential Certification Installer/Integrator (RCI) program. For a typical cost of $250, students are educated on the TIA/EIA-570A residential cabling standard, and receive hands-on wiring instruction for copper and optical-fiber connectivity. Each student must pass an exam to receive the RCI certification. Certification extends the product warranty to 15 years.
As part of the launch, The Siemon Co. has published a new electronic catalog for Siemon Home Cabling System products and a new Web site, www. homecabling.com. The new site contains information about the system as well as informative articles, standards information, an applications guide, installation instructions, and frequently asked questions on residential cabling.