Wired vs Wi-Fi

Way back in 2003 the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) came up with the following definition for a smart home: "A dwelling incorporating a communications network that connects the key electrical appliances and services, and allows them to be remotely controlled, monitored or accessed.”

Things have moved on a bit since then, though the principles remain the same, what was once the after-dinner conversation of the upper classes is now commonplace to the masses. There’s a genuine demand for smart-enabled residential properties and home automation is becoming a top priority for buyers. Entertainment systems, security features, and climate controls are among the more popular features in addition to the already popular video entry, smart lighting, and voice-activated speakers. Demand is also driving sustainable solutions to reduce the carbon footprint and the environmental impact of residential properties.

There's no question about how successful and widely popular wireless solutions have become, however todays smart home needs a fast and reliable internet connection to work its very best. Signal drops and dead zones drive the need for wired networking options for smart home appliances and the devices that control them.

So cables will still play their part, well we would say that wouldn’t we! In a wireless age why install a wired infrastructure? Well, there are a number of issues to consider, interference from neighbouring wireless networks and other disruptive signals from around the home, even the materials which are used to construct a house can be prohibitive to wireless. Some plasterboards, insulation and underfloor heating can act as a barrier to wireless signals, and let’s not dwell on the security concerns. Generally speaking you can be confident that in a wired installation the signal that goes in at one end will emerge undiminished at the other end, regardless of what’s happening around it.

FSC’s Tru range covers cables for applications to integrating electronic systems into the home, from AV, entertainment, building control to lighting and security solutions. Click here to visit the Tru Cables range.