Controls FINALISTS
-- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 6/28/2005
| CtrlSpecBuilder by Automated Logic Online HVAC specification tool is a website that is intended to free engineers from the need to write specifications from scratch, cut and paste from previous specs, or rely on proprietary vendor specs. The tool is based on ASHRAE Guideline 13-2000, Specifying Direct Digital Control Systems, and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat. The tool also creates sequences of operation, point lists and schematics for the most common HVAC equipment and incorporates these into a specification. The completed spec can be downloaded to Microsoft Word, the schematics to AutoCAD files. The rapid changes in HVAC control technology have meant that engineers cannot just pull out their old specs to use as templates and expect them to be up-to-date. Even though the tool was developed by one of the controls vendors, it is completely non-proprietary. The tool also addresses one particular shortcoming of control specs: the traditional focus on hardware and software rather than on control strategies. www.ctrlspecbuilder.com |
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Continuum bCX1 Router/Controller Series by Tour Andover Controls BACnet router/controller gives users a way to migrate to BACnet without replacing any of their installed systems because it can talk with other controllers. At the same time, the device has local control, able to contain and run its own programs, trends, schedules and alarms. If a communication wire is cut, the controller’s HVAC device keeps on running. All configuration settings are via a standard web browser, and all connections to the controller are accomplished with removable connectors. As a native BACnet controller, it can communicate directly with other third-party BACnet/IP and BACnet MS/TP devices for system interoperability. These devices can also be configured as BACnet broadcast management devices, or BBMDs, which enable controllers to fully communicate via the Internet. They use non-volatile flash memory to store the operating system and applications programs. When they sense a power loss, their onboard battery maintains all logs, trends and other run-time data. www.tac.com |
| iCOM Control System for Air Conditioning by Liebert Mission-critical cooling system controls coordinate operation among multiple units and prevent units from “fighting” each other in rooms with unbalanced loads. The control system is designed to enable more precise control of temperature and humidity, thereby producing energy savings. The system offers either small graphic displays or a large wall-mounted display, both types removable and easily serviced. Another key maintenance feature of the system is that it includes a parts list for the entire cooling system for rapid and convenient parts replacement. With the large display, facility staff can see average operation of the system or all units that are working together in unit-to-unit communication mode for teamwork or lead/lag from a centralized location. There is a free field area within the unit memory where unit maintenance shares history with any authorized users or logged-in service contacts, including a complete record of what others have done. www.liebert.com |
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