Smart Home Wiring Ontario: Electricians & Cable Techs Career Guide

Smart home wiring technicians and low-voltage integrators install, design, and connect all smart tech in a home. They work with everything from CCTVs to automated lights. Training in these fields with growing demand across Canada opens up strong career opportunities.

Smart technology is now common in homes, with Wi-Fi, security cameras, smart locks, and automated lights becoming standard in new builds. Ontario is upgrading older homes for sustainability, but lacks skilled workers for smart wiring.

The shortage presents a significant opportunity for skilled tradespeople, particularly in electrical and low-voltage systems. Learning smart home wiring can lead to a stable career.

What Is Smart Home Wiring?

Smart home wiring is the process of installing and connecting electrical and data cables that link smart devices together in a home. Electricians and network cable technicians who specialize in this work typically:

plan wiring layout (based on smart home devices and system requirements),
run the right wires and cables behind the walls and ceilings,
connect outlets and switches,
install central wiring panels that serve as the brain of the system to manage data and power distribution,
set up a home network, and
test and troubleshoot connections.

Smart home wiring enables automation by allowing devices to communicate and be controlled from one location.

What are examples of smart devices?

Examples of smart devices include:

Access control systems: smart locks, keypad entries
Security systems: cameras, motion sensors, alarm systems
HVAC controls: smart thermostats, zone control systems, air quality monitoring
Lighting: smart switches, dimmers, voice-controlled lights
Entertainment systems: whole-home audio, smart TVs, streaming devices
Network infrastructure: Wi-Fi access points, Ethernet connections (PoE), internet hubs
Healthcare and safety systems: nurse call systems, medical alert devices, emergency communication
Voice control and AI systems: Echo speakers, Google Nest devices

These devices typically use low-voltage systems.

‍

Inspector checking a home’s security camera

Image Source: Shutterstock

What Is Low-Voltage Integration?

Low-voltage integration specifically deals with connecting and organizing all the systems in a home or property that use low-voltage wiring (typically under 50V). Smart home wiring involves high and low-voltage work, but low-voltage integrators specialize in data and control systems.

In Canada, electricians manage smart home wiring, while low-voltage integration is handled by network cable technicians or LV specialists for seamless automation.

How Do You Get Into Smart Home Wiring in Ontario?

There are two main routes into this field, each with unique training and work scope.

Path 1: Construction & Maintenance Electrician

Electricians are trained (and licensed) to install, terminate, and maintain electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They may manage low-voltage wiring for smart home devices.

Role

Lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot, and repair electrical systems in buildings and other structures.

Training/Education Requirements

Minimum of grade 10 education for non-union electricians in Ontario; grade 12 for those in a union
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Completion of a four-to-five-year apprenticeship program (9,000 hours)
or a combination of five years of relevant work experience + some high school, college, or industry courses

Certification/Licensing

Required to take the Certificate of Qualification exam in your province or territory

Scope of Work

Handles most electrical systems, including:

heating,
lighting,
power,
communication,
control,
security, and
renewable energy,
energy storage.

Career Opportunities

Work in construction, maintenance, electrical inspection, teaching, renewable energy, home automation, or self-employment.

‍

Traditional electrical programs cover theory and the CEC, but now include smart home wiring training. Skilled Trades College of Canada’s Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides comprehensive, hands-on training that opens doors for careers in home automation, network cabling, fibre optics, and more.

Learn how to become an electrician

Path 2: Network Cabling Specialist

Network cabling specialists focus on installing, testing, and maintaining the low-voltage communication distribution systems.

Role

Install, test, and maintain low-voltage data and communication systems

Training/Education Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Complete a two to three-year apprenticeship program (4,600 hours)

Certification/Licensing

Option to take the Certificate of Qualification exam in your province or territory

Scope of Work

Low-voltage wiring for home automation, internet, security systems, and communication networks.

Career Opportunities

Jobs with smart home installation companies, telecom providers, security firms, and low-voltage contractors

‍

Many use Network Cable Technician and Low-Voltage interchangeably, as core skills in structured cabling apply to both roles.

Scope Boundaries: Licensed Electrician vs. Low-Voltage Technician

In Ontario, any work involving household voltage (120V and above) must be done by a licensed electrician. Electrical projects typically require permits and inspections to ensure compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), which is enforced by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

What Licensed Electricians Handle:

What Low-Voltage Technicians Can Do:

Any work involving household voltage (120V+)
Installing circuits and electrical panels
Connecting hardwired devices to house power
Work requiring electrical permits and inspections

Low-voltage data cables (under 50V)
Network equipment installation and configuration
Security camera cable runs (if using PoE)
Audio/video cable installation

‍

Where to Get Smart Home Wiring Training

Many electricians and cable techs supplement their formal apprenticeship or trade school programs with additional training, including:

Pre-apprenticeship Program (Electrical): Develops essential skills in wiring, networking, and system setups, ideal for apprenticeships or as a refresher for career changers.
Manufacturer or Vendor Courses: Offered by manufacturers or certified vendors, these courses teach installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of smart home systems.
Workshops and Continuing Education: Short courses from various institutions emphasize emerging technologies and hands-on practice.

Key Takeaways

Ontario has a growing need for skilled professionals who can wire smart homes.
You can enter this field as a licensed electrician or a network cabling technician.
Licensed electricians handle household voltage and high-power systems, while low-voltage technicians focus on networks, cameras, automation, and communication wiring.
Some tasks, like installing electrical panels, running new circuits, and connecting hardwired smart switches, require an electrical license.
Smart home wiring training aids in automation, remote control, and data management projects.
Supplement skills with manufacturer courses, workshops, and continuing education.
Pre-apprenticeship programs provide job-ready skills in 12 weeks, helping you explore career paths.

Ready to Get Wired In?

Whichever path you choose, the key to getting into the smart home construction industry is proper training. Skilled Trades College of Canada’s Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides the foundation for a network cabling specialization or a full electrical apprenticeship.

In this course, you’ll learn:

low-voltage and high-voltage wiring techniques
residential and commercial electrical installation and termination methods
basic electrical theory
safety protocols
Canadian Electrical Safety Code
and more.

Ready to start your career in smart home wiring in Ontario? The province’s growing demand for skilled technicians means job opportunities are waiting. Contact us today to learn how you can get job-ready in just 12 weeks!