Power Line Communication vs Zigbee

Developers should learn PLC when working on Internet of Things (IoT) systems, smart home automation, or industrial control networks where running new cables is impractical or costly meets developers should learn zigbee when building iot systems that require low power consumption, reliable communication in constrained environments, and interoperability among devices from different manufacturers. Here's our take.

Power Line Communication

Nice Pick

Developers should learn PLC when working on Internet of Things (IoT) systems, smart home automation, or industrial control networks where running new cables is impractical or costly

Pros

• It's particularly useful in retrofitting existing buildings with smart devices, enabling energy management in smart grids, and providing last-mile broadband in areas with limited infrastructure
• Related to: embedded-systems, iot

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Zigbee

Developers should learn Zigbee when building IoT systems that require low power consumption, reliable communication in constrained environments, and interoperability among devices from different manufacturers

Pros

• It is ideal for smart home automation, industrial monitoring, and healthcare applications where battery-operated sensors need to operate for years without frequent recharging
• Related to: iot-development, wireless-communication

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Power Line Communication is a technology while Zigbee is a platform. We picked Power Line Communication based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Power Line Communication wins

Based on overall popularity. Power Line Communication is more widely used, but Zigbee excels in its own space.