WIRELESS SMART HOME OR WIRED SMART HOME
Until the last decade, most smart home systems were marketed and installed using wired technology. In recent years, with the development of technology, smart home systems based on wireless technology are gaining significant market volume. The main driver of the phenomenon is, of course, the significant improvement in wireless technologies both in terms of reliability, wireless coverage (today it can also be installed in 5-story homes) and the variety of solutions offered.
Accordingly, the question arises – which solution is better? As part of the smart home design, should you choose a wireless smart home without cables or a wired smart home?
Vitrea, the pioneer and leader of wireless technology that also develops and manufactures the wired solution, try to make the information accessible and make sense of which solution to choose and when, according to the type and nature of the project.
Vitrea Showroom
Main differences
In the wired method, the electrical wires of all lighting circuits, blinds, blinds, bathroom heaters, electric boiler, air conditioners and underfloor heating reach the electrical panel in a concentrated form and are connected to the controllers that operate them according to the instructions of the main controller of the system. The switches installed in the walls of the house are also connected by communication lines to the main controller located in the electrical panel, hence it is necessary to produce a special and enlarged electrical panel and a double wiring infrastructure (including a larger and longer amount of wires). These costs can increase to tens of thousands of shekels and even more depending on the size of the house.
Wireless technology, on the other hand, wears on the existing electrical infrastructure in the standard home and does not require additional planning and a dedicated electrical cabinet. The mechanical switches (the usual and familiar plastics) are replaced by digital switches, which on the one hand continue to function as regular switches and on the other hand are wirelessly connected to the main controller of the system (which is usually located in the rack). Every action we perform on the switch (such as turning on a light) is reported to the controller. The main controller of Vitrea’s wireless system has the ability to control all switches, send commands, and execute scenarios in the same way as the wired system, so that the user enjoys the same control experience, including scenarios that run according to a pre-planned schedule or according to a command received from a smartphone or tablet.
The main difference in the mode of operation is when using the circuit breakers themselves. In a wired system, the main controller receives the commands directly from the circuit breakers on the communication infrastructure and performs the desired scenario accordingly. For this reason, a malfunction of the main controller in the wired system can disable the entire house. On the other hand, in a wireless system, when a button is pressed on the switch on the wall, the switch performs the electrical action and then updates the main controller (wirelessly). In the event of a malfunction, the sessions will continue to work normally, but the scenarios will be disabled.
In the wired system, all controllers are installed in the electrical panel, so there is no limit to the number of controllers, their size and the heat they generate (in dimmers). In wireless systems, on the other hand, the size of the switch box in the wall is fixed and therefore there is a limit to the number of activations that can be performed using each switch, and sometimes several boxes are required when there is a concentration of activations in one area. At the same time, proper and professional planning in advance can prevent this disadvantage and allow the user to enjoy the other advantages of wireless systems.
Advantages of the wired system
• Wired communication – stable with no distance limit.
• There is no limit to the amount and size of controllers in the electrical cabinet.
• A variety of proven solutions in the market.
Disadvantages of the wired system
• Requires dedicated planning, dedicated electrical infrastructure and a dedicated electrical cabinet – unnecessary costs.
• In case of malfunction of the main controller, the system is completely disabled.
• Total dependence on the system installer.
Advantages of the wireless system
• Significant savings – no need for special planning or dedicated electrical infrastructure and electrical cabinet.
• Simple and quick installation.
• In case of primary controller failure, switches are activated as normal switches, only scenarios do not work.
Disadvantages of the wireless system
• Less qualitative/inexpensive systems may have communication failures.
• In some places in the house, where many electrical circuits are concentrated, several switches will be required (in a wired system, the circuits are concentrated on the controller on the board and not on the switch).
• Relatively new technology – a small number of high-quality, reliable and proven solutions.
Ostensibly, the advantages of the wireless system are clear, but it is important to note that this is a relatively new and developing market. Most solutions today are deficient, whether in less reliable communications, lack of required types of switches, and more.
It is important to conduct market research and verify the following points:
• Lighting – a minimum of 2KW is recommended for switching on (which will not be a realistic limitation).
• Availability of dimmers for all types of LEDs – support for low voltage (0-10V) and high voltage (220V) dimor.
•Shutters – Support for regular blinds and wireless blinds.
•Blinds – Support for blinds installed in a window between glass (24VDC including rotation).
• Air conditioners – full support (beyond switching on and off) VRF air conditioners and other types of air conditioners.
• Underfloor heating, boiler and bathroom heaters.
• Full integration with audio/video control systems, alarms, detectors and more.
•Communication protocol – Make sure that the communication protocol supports low-power transmission. WIFI transmission, for example, transmits at relatively high power.
ZigBee transmission transmits at very low power, thanks to the fact that each switch is a repeater of other switches and the MESH protocol.
• Proven communication reliability – it is worthwhile to conduct market research and references.
• Professional accompaniment of the manufacturer/installer company.
• Ability to make changes to scenarios independently independent of the installer.
• Several years warranty for the system.
Vitrea, through an array of sales personnel and a professional service team, provides advice for all types of projects and tries to adapt to each type of project, whether it is a house in planning, an apartment delivered from a contractor, a penthouse under renovation or a hotel under construction with the most suitable system. Sometimes, when necessary, it is even possible to combine the two.