Leitungsgebunden

Leitungsgebunden is a German adjective used in engineering, telecommunications, and information technology to describe systems, signals, or processes that are carried by or constrained to a physical line or conduit, such as a cable, fiber, or conductor. It stands in contrast to wireless methods (drahtlos) and emphasizes the presence of a physical medium for transmission or power supply.

In practice, leitungsgebunden denotes a connection or equipment that relies on a physical medium for data or energy transfer. It can describe hardware that is wired, as well as communication protocols designed for transmission over cables (copper or fiber) within networks, measurement systems, or control circuits. Common contexts include leitungsgebundene Netzwerke (wired networks) using Ethernet or fiber optic links, leitungsgebundene Mess- und Steuerungstechnik in industrial automation, and leitungsgebundene Energieversorgung where devices draw power through conductors rather than batteries.

The term is neutral and descriptive, often used to contrast with drahtlose (wireless) solutions and to emphasize infrastructure requirements such as cabling, connectors, shielding, and protection. In planning and documentation, specifying leitungsgebundene Lösungen can highlight the trade-offs between reliability, latency, and security versus flexibility and installation cost.

Related terms include Kabelgebunden and Drahtlos, with Leitungsgebunden serving as a broader descriptor tied to the concept of a physical Leitung (line) rather than the media type alone.