The Smart House hybrid cable (left) will deliver power, control/data signals, and audio/video/telephone
signals to every outlet in the house. Its simplicity should appeal to today's electrician, who currently must
install most of the wiring shown on the right.
The promise of an electronically controlled
home has intrigued some of us
for years, and threatened others. But
like it or not, electronic automation is
taking shape in today's homes-and
builders should take notice—particularly
custom builders serving the
upper end of the market. A conservative
estimate of the market for "smart
homes" would be "about one-third of
the home-buying public, depending on
demographics and location," according
to Michael McGrath, Director of
Customer Programs for the Edison Electric
Institute,