By CEDIA - Thu, Sep 4, 2025 - Blog
CEDIA’s Smart Home Technician Glossary is your go-to guide for clear definitions of common industry terms. Whether you're a smart home apprentice looking to expand your knowledge or an experienced integrator in need of a handy guide for customers and new hires, this glossary is a must-have resource. Bookmark it now for easy access anytime.
An audio system with two speakers and one subwoofer.
An audio system with five speakers and one subwoofer, providing surround sound.
An audio system with seven speakers and one subwoofer for advanced surround sound.
Materials used in a room to reduce sound reflections and/or absorb unwanted frequencies.
A projection screen that allows sound to pass through enabling speakers to be placed behind it.
A speaker with built-in amplification and DSP
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence
The proportional relationship between the width and height of a display screen.
Centralized location for managing and distributing audio and video signals throughout a home.
A device that receives, processes, and amplifies audio and video signals for playback.
A system that provides battery power backup to devices during an electrical outage, also known as a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply).
The smallest radius that a communication cable or fiber can be bent without risking breakage or increased attenuation
Security technology that uses unique physical characteristics, like fingerprints or facial recognition, for authentication.
A device that connects different communication protocols within a smart home network.
A detailed plan listing all cables, their types, lengths, and routing in a home automation system.
A type of network cabling that supports speeds up to 1 Gbps.
An advanced network cabling standard that supports speeds up to 10 Gbps.
Compact fluorescent lamp; an energy-efficient lighting option
Compact fluorescent reflector; a CFL bulb with a reflective coating to direct light.
The system responsible for regulating temperature and humidity in a home.
A type of low voltage cable used to transmit audio, video, and data signals.
An HDMI feature that allows control of multiple devices with a single remote.
A centralized interface for managing various smart home systems.
Interference caused by signal leakage between adjacent cables or channels.
A preconfigured set of device actions that can be triggered with a single command.
A network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.
Technology used to track and analyze power consumption within a home.
A device that connects multiple network devices within a home network.
Electrical systems operating at low voltages for safety, often used in lighting.
Centralized management of ELV systems in a home.
High-speed data transmission using light through glass or plastic fibers.
A device that detects the presence of water and alerts to potential flooding.
The frequency at which consecutive images (frames) appear on a display.
A method of encoding information in a carrier wave by varying its frequency.
Ensuring a system can accommodate future technological advancements.
A technology that uses GPS to create virtual boundaries, triggering actions when devices enter or leave these areas.
A sensor that detects the sound of breaking glass for security purposes.
Central hub for managing and distributing signals in a home automation system.
A central connection point for home automation devices and systems.
A standard for transmitting high-definition video and audio.
The use of technology to control and automate household systems and devices.
A network topology with a central hub that connects to various devices (spokes).
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in a home.
A service that allows the creation of conditional statements to automate smart home actions via the internet.
Wireless communication using infrared light, often for remote controls.
The network of cables used to connect and power home automation devices.
A home automation protocol using both powerline and wireless communication for device control.
A system where various home automation devices and technologies work seamlessly together.
Devices connected to communicate and work together.
A network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data over the internet.
A standardized protocol for building automation, enabling integration of various devices and systems.
The delay between initiating an action and its execution.
A system that allows centralized control of all lighting fixtures in a home.
A device that distributes network or electrical loads evenly across multiple systems.
A document listing electrical loads and their distribution in a home automation system.
The ability to manually control a device or system, bypassing automated functions.
An industry-unified standard for smart home device interoperability.
A mesh network is a type of network where devices or nodes are linked together, branching off other devices or nodes.
A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
Fibre-optic cable that supports multiple light paths for data transmission over short distances.
Systems that distribute audio to multiple rooms or zones in a home.
AI technology that allows devices to understand and respond to human language.
A short-range wireless connectivity technology that enables communication between devices when they are touched together or brought within a few centimeters of each other
A connection point in a network where devices communicate.
A unique identifier assigned to each node in a network.
Wireless updates to firmware or software on smart home devices.
A device that organizes and connects multiple cables or fibers in a centralized location.
A sensor that detects motion by measuring infrared light changes.
Space between a structural ceiling and a dropped ceiling, used for air circulation and cabling.
Technology that allows Ethernet cables to carry both data and power to devices.
Technology that uses electrical wiring to transmit data for smart home communication.
Technology that detects the presence of individuals in a room for automation purposes.
The optimal location for listening to audio in a room.
The force exerted when pulling cables through conduits or walls.
Techniques used to manage network traffic and ensure optimal performance.
The process of adding new technology to existing systems or structures.
A detailed graphical representation of an electrical or electronic circuit.
A detailed description of the work to be performed in a project.
The desired value for a controlled variable, such as temperature in a thermostat.
Network cabling with shielding to protect against electromagnetic interference.
A cable with two types of wires, typically power and video, for simultaneous installation.
Fibre-optic cable designed for long-distance data transmission with a single light path.
A residence equipped with technology to automate and control household systems remotely.
A central device that connects and manages various smart home devices and systems.
The process of connecting and enabling communication between different smart home devices and systems.
Communication standards that enable smart home devices to work together.
An expert who designs, installs, and maintains integrated home automation systems, enhancing efficiency, security, and convenience through advanced technology and seamless device integration.
A speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds; active subwoofers have built-in amplifiers, while passive ones do not.
A wireless networking protocol designed for secure, reliable, and low-power home automation.
The distance between a projector and the screen where the image is displayed.
A type of cabling where two conductors are twisted together to reduce interference.
Network cabling without shielding, commonly used for Ethernet connections.
A communication protocol for home automation using existing power lines.
An early home automation protocol using power lines for communication between devices.
A cloud-based service for managing Z-Wave home automation devices remotely.
A wireless communication protocol for smart home devices, focused on low power consumption.
A wireless communication protocol for smart home devices, known for low power usage and reliability.
A specific area in a home where audio, lighting, or heating is controlled independently.
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