Technology Comparison
Wired vs Wireless Sensors
Comparing traditional wired sensor networks with modern wireless LoRaWAN solutions.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wired | Wireless (LoRaWAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Cost | High (cabling) | Low |
| Installation Time | Weeks to months | Hours to days |
| Maintenance | Cable repairs | Battery changes |
| Reliability | Very high | High |
| Flexibility | Fixed locations | Easy relocation |
| Scalability | Expensive | Easy & cheap |
| Power Requirements | Always on | Battery powered |
| Data Latency | Real-time | Near real-time |
| Harsh Environments | Excellent | Good (IP67) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Higher long-term | Lower |
Sources: LoRa Alliance technical overview; IEEE 802.11 (Wi‑Fi) specifications; 3GPP NB‑IoT/LTE‑M documentation; Zigbee Alliance cluster specifications. Range and battery figures are typical lab or field values — confirm for your site survey and SKU.
Best Use Cases
Choose Wired When...
- Critical process control
- High-frequency data sampling
- Permanent installations
- Real-time safety systems
- High-bandwidth applications
Choose Wireless When...
- Retrofit existing facilities
- Remote or distributed assets
- Temporary deployments
- Hard-to-reach locations
- Cost-sensitive projects