Building automation is a topic that can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We hope to demystify the subject with this blog post by giving you tips on adding building automation by PLC to your existing building. It means building to be “automated” and offering solutions with Danfoss, Siemens, Honeywell, Delta Controls, and Mitsubishi products. You'll find out how easy it is for you or your team of professionals to install new systems in an old facility.
What does “automation” mean?
To put it simply, “automation” uses control systems to operate equipment or machinery. It can include using sensors to manage energy in a building, getting more usage by utilizing space better, and finding ways to reduce our environmental impact.
Building automation is all about integration. PLC helps build automation which brings together multiple technologies to improve comfort, reliability/availability, flexibility, security, etc. Here are some examples: There are many available products for adding building automation solutions for an existing facility/building.
The following are just some of them:
Honeywell i-control Value Packages: Combines lighting, HVAC, and life safety control into one simple to use system.
Honeywell i-bus Leakage Detection: Allows leakage detection on any zone or zone group which reports significant/large air losses to the building management system (BMS).
Delta Controls Q Series Keypads & Mini M8 Microphones: Allows users to easily activate lights, HVAC, security panels, etc… with touch screens and microphones.
Danfoss Compressor Controllers: Increase efficiency by automatically adjusting compressor speeds based on demand or external conditions like outside temperature.
Valiant Wireless Temperature Sensors: Allow you to track your facility's colder areas within minutes instead of having to walk around with a thermometer all day long.
Honeywell Lyric™ Thermostat: Control your HVAC system using an app on your phone or tablet, programmable touch screen.
Delta Controls i-bus Temperature Sensors: Allow you to monitor the temperature of different locations within your facility without installing multiple sensors.
Siemens Q35 Control Boards: Comes standard with optional space monitoring*, which increases reliability, flexibility, and security for building control systems.
Rittal Light Curtains: Activate light sources based on people leaving/entering a room with Rittal's sensitivity setting software. GPRS data loggers can collect this data.
What do you should consider when planning to upgrade?
Here are just some things you might want to consider:
If there's any reason you're concerned about the safety or security of your facility, it will be worth looking. Believe it or not, many companies/individuals still rely on pagers and landlines instead of having a centralized communication system in place for emergencies. An automatic callback can ensure the appropriate personnel receive alerts immediately and work together to resolve issues quickly and effectively. These features also allow individuals outside company locations (i.e., an off-site administrator) to be connected and involved with what's happening at that moment if needed.
Remember we said that you could use many different products to improve comfort, reliability/availability, flexibility, security, etc.? For example, if you need lighting control and want it for a large area, Honeywell i-control is a perfect choice. Suppose you wanted to track people throughout the facility using sensors and cameras so that they can send alerts when someone has entered/left a room. In that case, Rittal's light curtains will be the best solution.
Will any of your current equipment be able to communicate with your new systems?
What happens if the existing system suddenly goes out. Maybe another lightning storm just took out your power supply board(s) again. Without documented wiring diagrams, you would have no way of knowing what parts go where within each cabinet (i.e., which zone goes to what terminal strip).
PLC and GPRS are essential tools for automation. A GPRS logger can quickly tell you how often each system has been out and the number of hours they've been out for too! PLC means Programmable Logic Controller. These are industrial computers used for different electro-mechanical processes in manufacturing, plants, or other automation environments. We hope that this article provides some information for your next project or helps remind you about things that have worked well in the past during others' projects.