EXECUTION_STANDARDS_V1.0

ONWORDS LIVING HOMES

Complete KNX Wiring & Site Preparation Guide

In Sync With the Smarter World

Introduction

At Onwords Living Homes, automation is not an add‑on. It is infrastructure. KNX is the global standard for intelligent buildings, but its success depends entirely on how the site is prepared and how wiring is executed. This guide defines the exact standards followed by Onwords Living Homes to ensure reliability, scalability, and long‑term performance.

This is not a theoretical document. It is an execution guide.

01

Understanding KNX Philosophy

Conventional Homes

Distribute power through switches

Living Homes

Distribute intelligence

In a KNX System:

  • Loads are centrally controlled
  • Switches act as intelligent inputs
  • Logic is programmable and scalable

This requires a fundamentally different wiring approach.

02

Site Preparation Principles

Centralized Distribution Boards

Every Living Home starts at the Distribution Board.

ONWORDS_STANDARDS:

  • Dedicated DB per floor
  • Dry, ventilated, accessible location
  • Minimum 30 percent spare capacity
  • Clear separation of power, automation, and communication

A congested DB limits the future of the home.

03

Cable Standards

Only approved cable types are permitted.

Mandatory Cables

KNX bus cable

2x2x0.8 mm (green)

Lighting circuits

FRLS 1.5 sqmm

Power sockets/appliances

FRLS 2.5 sqmm

Curtains and motors

Dedicated phase & neutral

Network, CCTV, VDP

CAT‑6

Power, automation, and data must never share conduits.

04

Wiring Methodology

Lighting Circuits

    Each light point must be home‑run to the DB
    No looping between fixtures
    Neutral must return to the DB

This enables scene control and future expansion.

Switchboards and Keypads

    Switchboards carry only KNX bus cable
    No 230V power behind keypads
    Minimum 60 mm deep back boxes
    Extra slack cable for future upgrades

Switchboards are interfaces, not power points.

Fans, Curtains, and Appliances

    Power supplied directly from DB
    Controlled via KNX actuators
    Dedicated MCBs for motors and heavy loads
    No local regulators

Every load remains independently controllable.

05

Conduit Planning

Conduits define how future‑ready the home remains.

Recommended Sizes

20 mmLighting and switch drops (minimum)
25 mmDB to ceiling routes
32 mmVertical risers (preferred)

Best Practices

    One spare conduit from DB to each room
    Smooth bends only
    Pull wire in every conduit
    No crushed conduits inside beams
06

KNX Bus Architecture

Line

Supported Topology

Tree

Supported Topology

Star

Supported Topology

ARCHITECTURE_RULES:

  • No closed loops
  • Maximum 350 meters per line
  • Centralized KNX power supply
  • All segments labeled

Clean topology ensures stable communication.

07

Testing and Quality Control

Before Plastering

    Continuity testing for all circuits
    Insulation testing for power lines
    KNX bus polarity verification

Before Handover

    Circuit schedules finalized
    DB labeling completed
    As‑built drawings updated

A Living Home is documented, not guessed.

08

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Looping lights locally
Mixing power and data cables
Sharing neutrals
Hidden junction boxes
No provision for future expansion

These errors degrade automation silently over time.

09

Execution Checklist

DB size verified and upsized
All conduits installed before wiring
Separate teams for electrical and automation
Daily supervision during wiring
Photographic documentation before plaster

Final Note

KNX is infrastructure.

When executed correctly, automation becomes invisible, intuitive, and future‑ready.

At Onwords Living Homes, this guide defines how Living Homes are built.

© ONWORDS LIVING HOMES

Engineering Living Homes for Tomorrow