Remote monitoring is critical to your operations. Without a reliable monitoring solution, you have no way of knowing when issues occur after hours unless you have personnel at the facility 24/7. Even then, you run the risk of overlooking equipment issues or status changes that cannot be detected without the appropriate sensors and monitoring system installed.
While the benefits of using a remote monitoring system are clear, the decision to use wireless or wired sensors with the system isn’t as obvious. Wired and wireless sensors both have their advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the specific needs of your application will help you decide which option is right for your facility. Here are a few things to consider:
Advantages of Wireless Sensors
Hardwired systems offer many benefits for facilities looking to install a remote monitoring solution. However, standard wired monitoring systems can present certain challenges depending on the facility. Wires can easily become a hazard to workers or animals who may occupy the space, and they can be expensive to install and maintain. Additionally, wires connected to sensors can be damaged, loosened or disconnected in busier work environments.
That’s why using a wireless monitoring system is a better choice for some facilities. One of the biggest advantages of using wireless sensors is the ability to place sensors throughout your facility without needing to run cabling through walls, floors and ceilings. Facilities like cold storage and greenhouses prefer wireless systems because the sensors are spread out over a large area.
Wireless monitoring systems connect with sensors using built-in radio transmitters, allowing you to add on new sensors without having to run additional wiring. Some wireless systems, like the Sensaphone WSG30, can accept up to 30 different temperature sensors from up to 300 feet away.
Expanding your monitoring area or adding new sensors is quick and easy with a wireless system. Whereas a wired remote monitoring system would require reconfiguration and running of new wiring to complete a new setup or expansion.
Advantages of Hardwired Sensors
Hardwired monitoring systems can be more expensive and time-consuming to implement than wireless sensors, but they have many advantages as well. Because hardwired sensors are physically connected by wires to the base unit, they are faster and more reliable than wireless sensors.
Wireless data transmissions are affected by distance, which means that wireless sensors will not perform as well if they are too far from the base unit. Thick walls, metal enclosures and other structures may also interfere with the wireless signal. Wired technology is not impacted by electronic interference or distance like Wifi technology, which helps to improve the speed and consistency of the data stream.
The cost of installing wired sensors depends on the size of the monitored area, how many sensors you need to install and how easy it is to access the internal network and cabling.
If you need more help deciding between hardwired or wireless sensors for your operation, our team of experts is here to assist you in choosing the monitoring system that is right for your needs.
