As technology evolves, so does the way facilities approach lighting. With LED growing in popularity, contractors and building owners are evaluating lighting control systems that provide greater flexibility, automation and control.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced lighting systems and controls can help buildings better manage lighting based on factors such as occupancy, daylight availability, and user needs. These technologies allow facilities to improve how and when lighting is used.
One of the biggest decisions when selecting a commercial lighting control system is choosing between wired and wireless lighting controls. Each option offers different advantages depending on the application, building requirements, and project goals.
In this blog, we’ll compare wired and wireless lighting controls and explore what contractors should consider when selecting the right solution.
What is a wired lighting control system?
A wired lighting control system uses physical connections between switches, sensors, fixtures, and control devices to manage lighting throughout a space.
In a wired system, control devices communicate through dedicated wiring and connect back to a centralized system or network. This approach has traditionally been common in both residential and commercial applications.
With a centralized setup, users can manage multiple fixtures through keypads, switches, or connected devices. In commercial facilities, wired systems can provide a structured approach for managing lighting across larger spaces.
Pros & cons of wired lighting controls
Two of the biggest advantages of wired lighting controls are reliability and consistent communication between connected devices.
Buddy Blanton, regional manager for City Electric Supply’s Atlanta South region, has many years of experience supporting contractors with both wired and wireless lighting control solutions.
“Many wired systems can come right from the factory and work straight out of the box,” Blanton said. “It requires very little programming. You plug the wired items together and they work — no pairing, no mobile app, no handheld device to worry about.”
Because wired systems use physical connections between components, there’s less concern about signal interference that may occur with wireless communication. This makes them a strong option for applications where consistent connectivity and centralized control are priorities.
Wired lighting controls are often a practical choice for new construction projects, where control wiring can be installed during the initial build process. However, adding new wiring to an existing building may require additional planning, labor, and access to infrastructure.
Hardwired systems are also much more practical for new installations in both residential and commercial applications. Retrofitting a wired lighting installation that also features an overlay control can cost a lot of time, money, and labor to retrace and reroute wiring.
Fully hardwired systems can be both smart and reliable. For new home builds or new commercial installations, hardwired systems are simple since you’re wiring them from the ground up. While up-front cost may be higher, long-term benefits such as improved connectivity and reliability will pay for themselves.
What is a wireless lighting control system?
A wireless lighting control system uses wireless communication technology to connect lighting devices without requiring dedicated control wiring between every component.
Wireless systems typically use radio frequency (RF) communication to allow switches, sensors, and fixtures to communicate with a control network.
During installation, devices are added to a programmable network, allowing electricians to configure how each component communicates and operates.
Pros & cons of wireless lighting
One of the biggest advantages of wireless lighting controls is flexibility.
Because these systems do not require the same level of control wiring as traditional wired systems, they can be an option for renovation projects or applications where installing new wiring may be challenging.
“In new builds and renovation projects, wireless lighting is becoming much more popular,” Blanton said. “Customers decide on wireless lighting due to multiple factors, but usually it involves wanting more dimming capabilities, or they’re trying to ease the pressure on the budget and labor costs.”
Wireless controls can also make future changes easier because additional devices can often be added without modifying existing wiring.
Another consideration is communication reliability. Because wireless systems rely on signal transmission, project design and device placement are important factors to ensure consistent performance.
“Wireless ranges are key,” Blanton explained. “The shorter the range, the more time it takes to design it and/or implement it. We have found more success with a wireless platform that has wired options included. This allowed us to change to a wired solution in the middle of a project if the IT guy isn’t a fan of wireless controls.”
Wired vs. wireless lighting controls: Which is better?
There is no single answer when choosing between wired and wireless lighting controls. The right solution depends on the application, building design, and project requirements.
Wired lighting controls may be a good fit for:
- New construction projects
- Applications where centralized control is important
- Projects where control wiring can be installed during construction
Wireless lighting controls may be a good fit for:
- Renovation and retrofit projects
- Applications where minimizing new wiring is important
- Projects requiring flexibility for future changes
According to the DesignLights Consortium, networked lighting controls help buildings better manage lighting through connected devices and automated control strategies.
The best lighting control system is the one that meets the needs of the space, the customer, and the project.
Helping contractors find the right lighting solution
Selecting the right lighting controls is only one part of completing a successful project. Contractors also need access to the right products, expertise, and support throughout the process.
At City Electric Supply (CES), our teams work with contractors every day to help identify products and solutions for lighting applications. Whether a project requires wired controls, wireless solutions, or other lighting components, CES can help contractors find the right materials and support.
With thousands of products available online and locations across North America, we’re here to help support your next lighting project.
Wireless lighting is so easy to work with because it’s much more scalable than a hardwired system. As long as you have enough control nodes to communicate with the devices, you could install a nearly limitless number of luminaires. Its scalability is exactly what reduces labor and material costs while greatly increasing the flexibility of your lighting system.
“Contractors should be well aware of the time and labor savings with wireless systems,” Blanton explained. “Wireless controls, especially those embedded in the fixture, eliminate 0-10V wiring, CAT5 cables, and reduce the number of devices you have to install. With the controls embedded on the fixture, you install the fixture and the wireless wall dimmer, which beats having to install power packs and ceiling sensors.”
To make it even better, you don’t have to destroy walls in a home or commercial facility to do maintenance. Since it’s all wireless, you can just replace the fixture, control panel, or device without worrying about rewiring anything.
This helps lower the cost of wireless setups, making them less expensive than most hardwired systems. It doesn’t involve as much pre-planning, and it allows clients to scale up or scale down their systems accordingly without having to spend money on labor to add new wiring or remove existing wiring. Plus, the energy and cost savings are virtually the same as its wired counterpart.
One downside, though, is the security of a wireless system. Because it communicates over radio waves, there is a chance of interference, no matter how small.
“Concerns about cybersecurity are a reason why a customer would prefer a wired system over a wireless one,” Blanton added.
What’s another downside? Devices must be within range for a reliable signal. The further away from a control source, the higher the chance of signal interference.
That’s incredibly important today. Because wireless lighting systems have to be connected to a network, online security is a huge factor to consider if you’re looking at installing these devices.
Wired vs. Wireless wrapped up
- In a wired system, all hardwired controls, all wires, and every circuit lead back to a centralized location.
- The two biggest benefits of wired lighting are a faster, more responsive network and greater reliability.
- In a wireless system, battery-powered devices communicate with a control management system.
- The two biggest benefits of wireless lighting? It’s nearly infinitely scalable and more cost-effective than hardwired systems.
- The energy and cost savings of both systems are virtually the same, so it all depends on what’s best for your application.
FAQs
What are networked lighting controls?
Networked lighting controls use connected devices and automation to help manage building lighting.
How do networked lighting controls work?
They use sensors, controllers, and communication networks to adjust lighting based on building needs.
What are the benefits of networked lighting controls?
They provide greater control, improve lighting management, and support more efficient operations.
Are networked lighting controls wired or wireless?
They can use wired or wireless connections depending on the system design and building requirements.
Why use networked lighting controls?
They help automate lighting, improve control, and create more flexible environments.
Need support for your wired or wireless lighting system?
With over 35,000 products available online and experienced staff inside our 650+ locations across the U.S., we can provide the materials or the technical support you need to get any lighting job done right.