Are you opting for a wireless or wired home automation system?

Your decision is made: you want a smart home, equipped with home automation. But should you choose a wired home automation system or a completely wireless solution? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? And is there a middle way? We explain it clearly on this page.

1) Wired home automation system

Benefits

• The communication between the various smart components is extremely robust. Disruption of that communication is virtually impossible.
• A wired system responds faster to signals.
• The transmission of signals requires less energy than with a wireless system.
• A wired system usually provides more control options, more smart integration options and more scenarios (optimal interplay between lighting, screens, ventilation, heating, air conditioning, audio, security …).

Disadvantages

The most important issue is that the cabling must of course be installed. It is therefore best to make the choice for a wired system when you start new construction or when you are about to undergo a significant renovation.

2) Wireless home automation system

Benefits

No grinding or breaking work is needed. The installation of a small number of wireless devices is usually quite easy.

Disadvantages

• Operation is less stable. The wireless connections between the various components can be disrupted by WiFi signals, smartphones, your microwave oven, etc.
• If there are problems, it’s much more difficult to solve them because your wireless communication is impossible or difficult to measure or read.
• Wireless communication takes place less quickly than through cables.
• Also the distance between components plays a role. The radio waves often have to pass through multiple walls or other materials, so the reliability of the signals is usually only guaranteed to 15 meters or even less.
• The signals of a wireless system are not always encrypted, and thus less secure.
• If the operation is done via an app on your smartphone and WiFi, this can cause a problem if your modem fails.

3) Combination of both?

Suppose: you opted for a wired system because of the many advantages. What if new technologies emerge? Will your system be compatible? Or if your needs change over time, will your system be able to evolve accordingly?

Of course it depends on which system you choose, but in the case of Dobiss, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. For more than 25 years, the software has been continuously upgraded so that your system is able to continue to communicate with new standards, including wireless.

And because Dobiss is modular in design, you can decide at any time to add new functionalities or connect wireless devices. Think, for example, of a new floor lamp that is integrated into an mood scenario or an extra wireless smoke detector that automatically switches on the lighting when smoke is detected. The new additions communicate seamlessly with the existing system.

In a nutshell