BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

XAR905 (A)
Controllers-Types and functions,
Occupancy,
Integration using Internet protocol.

Ar. N.Ramesh Babu. B.Arch,M.T.P

Assistant Professor
Department of Architecture
Periyar Maniammai University May 2012
 Controllers
Controllers
Microcomputer controllers receive signals from field devices and according
to their programmed operating parameters, take action to control plant
equipment.
Inputs and outputs are either analog or digital
Analog signal
• It is a continuous signal for which the time varying feature (variable)
of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity,

• uses a continuous range of values to represent information.

• Analogous to another time varying signal.

• It differs from a digital signal in terms of small fluctuations in the

signal which are meaningful.

• Analog inputs are used to read a variable measurement.

Examples are temperature, humidity and pressure sensor which
could be platinum resistance thermometer (resistance temperature
detector), or wireless sensors.

• Analog outputs control the speed or position of a device, such as a

variable frequency drive, a I-P (current to pneumatics) transducer, or
a valve or damper actuator. An example is a hot water valve opening
up 25% to maintain a setpoint.
A digital signal uses discrete (discontinuous) values.

• Although digital representations are discrete, the information

represented can be either discrete, such as numbers or letters, or
continuous, such as sounds, images, and other measurements of
continuous systems.

• A digital input indicates if a device is turned on or not. Some

examples of a digital input would be a 24VDC/AC signal, a switch.

• Digital outputs are used to open and close switches. An example

would be to turn on the parking lot lights when a photocell indicate
it is dark outside.
What are Controllers?

controllers are computers that receive signals from field devices

and according to their programmed operating parameters, take
action to control equipments.

Controller
Controllers are essentially small, purpose-built computers with input
and output capabilities.

These controllers come in a range of sizes and capabilities to control

devices commonly found in buildings, and to control sub-networks of
controllers.

Inputs allow a controller to read temperatures, humidity, pressure,

current flow, air flow, and other essential factors. The outputs allow the
controller to send command and control signals to slave devices, and
to other parts of the system.
What is an Actuator?

An actuator is a type of motor for moving or controlling a

mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy,
usually in the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure
or pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into some kind
of motion.

They are devices which transform an input signal (mainly an

electrical signal) into motion

A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable

controller is a digital computer used for automation of
electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory
assembly lines, amusement rides, or light fixtures.

PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-

purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output
arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical
noise, and resistance to vibration and impact.

Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery-

backed-up or non-volatile memory.
Types of Controller

Controllers used for building automation can be grouped in 3

categories.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs),

System/Network controllers, and
Terminal Unit controllers.

PLC's provide the most responsiveness and processing power, but at

a unit cost typically 2 to 3 times that of a System/Network controller.

Terminal Unit controllers are usually the least expensive and least
powerful.
Application of PLC

• PLC's may be used to automate high-end applications such as

clean rooms or hospitals where the cost of the controllers is less of
a concern.
• In office buildings, supermarkets, malls, and other common
automated buildings the systems will use System/Network
controllers rather than PLC's. Most System controllers provide
general purpose feedback loops, as well as digital circuits, but lack
the millisecond response time that PLC's provide.
• System/Network controllers may be applied to control one or more
mechanical systems such as an Air Handler Unit (AHU), boiler,
chiller, etc., or they may supervise a sub-network of controllers
.
• Terminal Unit controllers usually are suited for control of lighting
and/or simpler devices such as a package rooftop unit, heat pump,
VAV box, or fan coil, etc. The installer typically selects 1 of the
available pre-programmed personalities best suited to the device
to be controlled, and does not have to create new control logic.
Occupancy
Occupancy is one of the operating modes for a building automation
system.
• Unoccupied,
• Morning Warmup, and
• Night-time Setback.

Occupancy is usually based on time of day schedules.

In Occupancy mode, the BAS aims to provides a comfortable

climate and adequate lighting, often with zone-based control so
that users on one side of a building have a different thermostat
(or a different system, or sub system) than users on the opposite
side.

A temperature sensor in the zone provides feedback to the

controller, so it can deliver heating or cooling as needed.

.
Morning Warmup (MWU) mode occurs prior to Occupancy. During
Morning Warmup the BAS tries to bring the building to set point just
in time for Occupancy.

The BAS often factors in outdoor conditions and historical

experience to optimize MWU. This is also referred to as Optimised
Start.

An override is a manually initiated command to the BAS. For

example, many wall-mounted temperature sensors will have a
push-button that forces the system into Occupancy mode for a set
number of minutes.

web interfaces allow users to remotely initiate an override on the

BAS.

Some buildings rely on occupancy sensors to activate lighting

and/or climate conditioning.
Communications protocol

Communications protocol is a system of digital message formats

and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing
systems and in telecommunications.

Protocols may include signalling, authentication and error detection

and correction capabilities.

The Internet Protocol (IP)

The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol
used for relaying network packets across an internetwork using
the Internet Protocol Suite.

Responsible for routing packets across network boundaries, it is

the primary protocol that establishes the Internet.
Conventional PCI (PCI is an initialism formed from Peripheral
Component Interconnect,[1] part of the PCI Local Bus standard and
often shortened to PCI) is a computer bus for attaching hardware
devices in a computer. The PCI bus supports the functions found on a
processor bus, but in a standardized format that is independent of any
particular processor. Devices connected to the bus appear to the
processor to be connected directly to the processor bus, and are
assigned addresses in the processor's address space.
Category 5 cable (Cat 5) is a twisted pair cable for carrying signals.
This type of cable is used in structured cabling for computer
networks such as Ethernet. It is also used to carry other signals such
as telephony and video.
A router is a device that forwards data packets between
computer networks, creating an overlay internetwork.

A router is connected to two or more data lines from different

networks.

The most familiar type of routers are home and small office
routers that simply pass data, such as web pages and email,
between the home computers and the owner's cable or DSL
modem, which connects to the Internet through an ISP.
ISP - Internet service provider

DSL - Digital subscriber line

References

1. [Source : http://en.wikipedia.org]
2. [Source : http://www. brighthub.com]

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