Building a smart home requires more than just purchasing the latest gadgets. A robust network infrastructure forms the backbone of any home automation system, ensuring reliable communication between devices and seamless control of your connected home. This guide helps Australian homeowners plan and implement network wiring that will serve their smart home needs today and into the future.
Why Wired Infrastructure Matters for Smart Homes
While many smart home devices connect via WiFi or other wireless protocols, the network infrastructure supporting those wireless connections benefits enormously from wired backbones. Wireless access points connected via ethernet provide far better coverage and performance than mesh systems that relay wirelessly between nodes. Security cameras, particularly high-resolution models, perform more reliably on wired connections than wireless.
Network reliability becomes increasingly important as you add more connected devices. A smart home might include dozens or even hundreds of devices: lights, thermostats, locks, cameras, sensors, entertainment systems, and appliances. Each device adds load to your network, and wireless congestion can cause responsiveness issues or complete failures at inconvenient moments.
Home automation hubs and servers benefit from wired connections to ensure commands are executed without delay. When you ask your voice assistant to dim the lights, the request travels from your voice assistant (often wireless) to your hub (ideally wired), then out to the light bulbs (typically wireless). Wiring the controllable portions of this chain minimises latency and maximises reliability.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) simplifies installation of many smart home devices. PoE delivers power alongside data over a single ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power cables or nearby outlets. Many IP cameras, access points, and smart home devices support PoE, allowing placement flexibility that would otherwise require electrical work.
Planning Your Smart Home Network Infrastructure
Begin by mapping your home and identifying locations where wired connections would be beneficial. Consider entertainment centres for smart TVs and streaming devices, home office spaces, locations for wireless access points to provide optimal WiFi coverage, camera mounting positions both indoors and outdoors, and locations for smart home hubs and home automation equipment.
A structured wiring approach centralises all network cables at a single location, typically a cabinet or utility area. This home run topology means each outlet has its own cable running back to the central point, connected via a patch panel. This approach provides maximum flexibility, as any outlet can be connected to any network device at the central location.
Calculate the number of cable runs required, then add extra capacity. Installing additional cables during initial construction or renovation costs little compared to retrofitting later. A common recommendation is two ethernet outlets per room, with additional runs to rooms where entertainment equipment or home office setups are likely. For new construction, four runs to living areas is not excessive given the minimal additional cost.
Consider future-proofing by installing conduit between floors and in difficult-to-access areas. Even if you only pull Cat6 cable now, conduit allows future upgrades to higher-specification cables or fibre optic without major renovation work. This is particularly valuable in multi-storey homes where accessing wall cavities is difficult.
Choosing the Right Cable Category
For smart home wiring, Cat6a provides an excellent balance of performance and future-proofing. It supports 10 Gbps speeds at the full 100-metre distance and offers better shielding than standard Cat6. The additional cost compared to Cat6 is minimal for bulk cable purchases, making it a sensible choice for permanent in-wall installation.
Cat6 remains a valid choice for budget-conscious installations, offering gigabit speeds and adequate performance for most current applications. Most smart home devices operate at 100 Mbps or less, so Cat6 provides substantial headroom. However, network speeds between devices (file transfers from NAS to computers, for example) benefit from higher-category cables.
Some installers recommend Cat7 or Cat8 for ultimate future-proofing. While these categories offer higher specifications, their benefits are primarily realised in data centre environments. For residential installations, Cat6a provides all the performance most homes will need for decades, at a lower cost and with easier termination. Use our cable finder tool to get specific recommendations.
Shielded cables are worth considering for homes with significant electromagnetic interference sources or where cables will run near electrical wiring for extended distances. For most Australian homes, unshielded Cat6a performs excellently, but shielding provides additional insurance against potential interference issues.
Network Equipment for Smart Homes
At the heart of your smart home network is a router capable of handling numerous connected devices. Consumer routers are typically rated for 10-30 devices, which smart homes can easily exceed. Consider enterprise-grade or prosumer routers designed for higher device counts and traffic loads. Features like VLAN support allow separating smart home devices from computers for security.
Ethernet switches expand the number of available network ports. For smart home installations, choose switches with enough ports for current needs plus growth capacity. PoE switches provide power to compatible devices, consolidating power and data delivery. A 16 or 24 port PoE switch forms the backbone of many smart home installations, powering cameras and access points while providing connectivity throughout the home.
Wireless access points connected to your wired network provide WiFi coverage for mobile devices and wireless smart home gadgets. Multiple access points, strategically placed and connected via ethernet, provide better coverage than a single central router. Enterprise-style access points offer features like seamless roaming between units, important in larger homes where you move between coverage areas while using mobile devices.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for critical network equipment ensure your smart home remains operational during power outages, at least briefly. Security cameras, in particular, benefit from continued operation during outages when they may be needed most. Size your UPS for the equipment it protects and the runtime required for your circumstances.
Installation Best Practices
When running cables through walls, avoid parallel runs alongside electrical wiring wherever possible. Crossing electrical cables perpendicularly is acceptable, but extended parallel runs can introduce interference, particularly in unshielded cables. Maintain at least 200mm separation between ethernet and power cables when running parallel.
Use proper cable management throughout the installation. Avoid kinking or over-bending cables, as this can damage internal conductors. Secure cables at regular intervals using cable clips or ties, but avoid over-tightening fasteners that could crush the cable. Leave service loops at termination points for future adjustments.
Label all cables at both ends during installation. Clear labelling simplifies troubleshooting and future changes. A simple numbering system (Room 1 Port A, Room 1 Port B, etc.) works well, with a master diagram showing locations. This documentation saves significant time when tracing cables or reconfiguring connections months or years later.
Test all cable runs before closing walls or completing installations. Cable certifiers or simple continuity testers identify wiring faults before they become costly problems. For important installations, professional certification with a proper cable tester provides detailed performance documentation and peace of mind.
Smart Home Device Integration
Security cameras are among the most common devices to connect via ethernet in smart home installations. Wired cameras avoid the reliability issues that plague wireless cameras and can be powered via PoE, simplifying installation. Position cameras at entry points, driveways, and areas of concern, running cable to each location during construction or renovation.
Smart TVs and streaming devices benefit from wired connections, particularly for 4K streaming content. While modern WiFi can handle streaming, a wired connection guarantees consistent quality without buffering, especially in households with multiple simultaneous streams. Consider ethernet outlets behind every TV mounting location.
Home automation hubs like SmartThings, Hubitat, or Home Assistant servers perform best on wired connections. These devices communicate with numerous other devices and services, and network latency affects automation responsiveness. Position your hub centrally for best wireless coverage to devices that connect directly to it.
Network-attached storage (NAS) devices for media storage and backup require ethernet connectivity. Positioning NAS in a utility area or network cabinet connected to your main switch provides reliable access from throughout your home. NAS devices often support link aggregation, using multiple ethernet connections for increased throughput in demanding scenarios.
Getting Started with Your Smart Home Wiring
Whether you are building a new home, renovating, or retrofitting an existing property, planning your smart home network infrastructure pays dividends for years to come. Start by assessing your current and anticipated needs, then design a wiring plan that accommodates growth. Invest in quality cables and equipment, as these components typically outlast the smart devices they connect.
For new construction, coordinate with your builder to include structured wiring in the plans. Many builders offer technology packages, though DIY installation during the pre-gyprock stage can save money. For renovations, scope wiring work to coincide with other projects that open walls, minimising disruption and cost.
Ready to find the right cables for your smart home project? Our cable finder quiz provides personalised recommendations, or browse our curated product selection for quality options available in Australia with fast delivery.