Any system works as efficiently as it is designed. This is true for low voltage technology and infrastructure as well. A below-average voltage design often results in amplified inefficiencies and higher project costs.
You can experience these problems when low voltage systems are not integrated well with other systems in the building. It can also happen when there is a lack of coordination between low voltage and electrical teams working on the project.
Why Does Quality Low Voltage Design Matter?
Businesses across the world rely on their information systems to stay competitive and relevant in the ever-evolving competitive landscape. Planning, designing, installing, and maintaining quality low voltage systems will facilitate a pleasant experience for anybody using the network. Reputed low voltage services can help achieve these objectives for a competitive edge.
Here are a few ways a quality low voltage design can help your organization:
- Reliability –As all the organization’s technology depends on low voltage infrastructure, a quality system minimizes the instances of disruptions and risks to critical business systems.
- Speed – A reliable, quality low voltage design makes installation and implementation easy and quick. By reducing the time spent on the project, it gets completed quickly.
- Cost Saving – When you get it right on the first attempt, you expect lesser instances of design revisions, change orders, and unexpected issues, adding up to cost savings on your project.
Low Voltage Design Pitfalls
Here are some of the most common problems and challenges seen in low voltage designs.
- Conduit Space
Conduits are often undersized for the number of cables because of the conduit-fill ratio and don’t go where they should. This can be a big problem that needs to be addressed. - Firewall Penetration
A penetration was supposed to be made through the firewall but the electrical contractor failed to prepare the cables. This is another problem that you can resolve easily with the help of a low voltage design consultant. - Security
The people responsible for framing the access control doors often don’t know which side they should place the magnetic strike on. If it is an exterior door and the construction is a cement material, it can be challenging to gain access to the strike after installation. - Slab Floors
Floor boxes and tombstones are generally mounted on slab floors, demanding conduit to be run before pouring the cement. If there is no conduit, a small trench should be cut in the cement to accommodate the conduit later, increasing the cost considerably.
Challenges and problems can be prevented through proactive steps, quality low voltage services, and smooth communication between trades.
Characteristics Of Quality Low Voltage Design
A majority of low voltage designs contain errors that could be avoided if proper coordination between trades is ensured. There should be clear communication between electrical contractors, general contractors, low voltage contractors, and the architects working on a project.
The contractor responsible for the designs should use this type of communication to improve the efficiency and speed of the project. Discussing various systems before starting the process gives designers a chance to spot potential problems and address them proactively.
When the consultant has understood the building systems thoroughly, they can come up with a solid plan. A quality design plan should be well-documented with detailed comments and notes for different systems, complete with floor plans, room layouts, equipment rack elevations, and detail sheets.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning a new project or want to change the course of a current one, getting in touch with a reputed low voltage design consultant can help you improve your low voltage systems drastically. The cost associated with a quality low voltage design is nothing compared to the losses you would encounter from problems faced without one.
