Electrical installation no longer ends at 230 volts and circuit breakers. Data networks are developing into a supporting pillar of modern building technology – and thus into a growing business field for electrical installers. Anyone planning building automation, PV systems, or charging infrastructure today is simultaneously planning structured cabling, edge networks, and connections to cloud platforms.
Why data network competence becomes mandatory
Three developments drive demand: First, KNX bus systems and IP-based building automation require reliable Ethernet backbone structures. Second, energy management systems combined with PV systems and battery storage demand bidirectional data communication in real time. Third, grid operators increasingly require smart meters and charging infrastructure to be connected via standardized protocols.
Manufacturers like Siemens, Schneider Electric, and ABB have long since equipped their switch programs with Ethernet interfaces. Gira and Jung offer KNX/IP interfaces that connect local KNX lines with IP networks. Phoenix Contact and WAGO are expanding their product portfolios with industrial Ethernet components that can also be used in commercial buildings.
Open standards against vendor lock-in
The market shows a clear direction: proprietary bus systems are losing importance, open IP protocols are gaining. Schneider Electric relies on EcoStruxure, a manufacturer-independent IoT platform with REST APIs. Siemens is advancing openness standards in the TIA Portal environment. Installers who today plan Cat-6A cabling and structured patch panels are creating the foundation for lifecycle upgrades without complete replacement of passive infrastructure.
A practical example: In new buildings with klimaaktiv funding, it is increasingly required that all consumers – from heat pumps to wallboxes to ventilation systems – are centrally controllable via an energy management system. This requires structured network topologies with defined equipotential bonding and separate VLANs for control data, metering, and internet access.
PoE and edge switches: New revenue opportunities
Power over Ethernet (PoE) has evolved from a niche technology to a standard solution. LED lights, IP cameras, access points, and smart sensors receive power and data through a single Cat-6 cable. For installers, this opens up new business opportunities: those who previously only laid lighting circuits now plan PoE switches with sufficient power reserves and take over the commissioning of IP-based systems.
Hager and Eaton offer compact edge switches that can be mounted in sub-distribution panels. OBO Bettermann supplies cable tray systems with separate compartments for high and low voltage that comply with electromagnetic compatibility standards.
Integration with PV and e-mobility
The interconnection of data networks, photovoltaics, and e-mobility is becoming the norm. Modern inverters and wallboxes communicate via Modbus TCP or SunSpec profiles. Installers must ensure that network components meet the required packet transit times for control processes and that firmware updates are possible remotely.
Those who engage more deeply with smart integration in building technology recognize: data network infrastructure is not an afterthought but the foundation of every future-proof installation.
What installers should do now
First: further education in structured cabling and network basics. Certifications according to ISO/IEC 11801 build trust with planners and clients. Second: explore partnerships with IT system integrators to jointly handle hybrid projects. Third: acquire tools for network testing and certification – from cable testers to VLAN-configured test equipment.
The market rewards investments in expertise: those who master the interface between electrical installation and data networks today secure access to contracts in commercial buildings, smart homes, and public facilities. The technical convergence is here – only the industry's professional response is missing.