Controls News 13
119
Products:
Innovation in using BACnet
BACnet – fair competition can only be
achieved with good planning
The motivation to promote BACnet as a communi-
cations protocol in building automation lies in the
neutrality and resulting interoperability of data ex-
change between the automation stations and visu-
alization systems of different manufacturers. In large
buildings, it has been recognized that investments in
«
Totally Integrated» suppliers can save up to 30% if
the suppliers are in genuine competition with each
other. This fair competition can only work with open,
standardized communication protocols and binding
planning proposals. The Working Group of Mechani-
cal and Electrical Engineering for State and Local
Governments (AMEV) in Germany regularly publish-
es planning guidelines for public buildings. Here is an
excerpt from AMEV recommendations:
«
With BACnet 2007, AMEV published supplementary
guidance on the application of the BACnet commu-
nication protocol (Building Automation and Con-
trol Networks). These practical recommendations
have been proven in many BACnet projects and are
accepted by many users as the binding planning
guidelines in BACnet tenders.»
«
BACnet 2007 sets out the minimum requirements
for improving the interoperability of BACnet devices.
The recommended minimum configuration for ob-
ject types and service etc. provides a sound basis for
interoperability and corresponding test scenarios in
heterogeneous GA systems, and improves planning
and investment security.»
«
GA-planning should clarify which tools are required
for commissioning tests in order to prove the BAC-
net functionality and for fault detection during op-
eration (e.g. BACnet tools or protocol analyzers) and
who services them. Qualified operation of the tools
should enable faults (such as malfunctions) to be
analysed.
The Saia® BACnet-Monitor is an ideal tool for com-
missioning tests and continuous quality assurance
during operation; it recognizes the sources of errors
and presents the results in a comprehensible way.
Saia
®
BACnet-Monitor
For «Peace of Mind» in planning and operation
comprehensive BACnet networks
The BACnet Monitor revolutionizes the testing of a BACnet BA system at the time of
acceptance and during operation. The feedback from the analysis is shown in full and
can be evaluated without specialist knowledge. The installation is just as simple:
unpack, plug in – ready to go!
Author: Oliver Greune
Why do we need transparency in BACnet facili-
ties – where are the risks?
The neutrality of BACnet is based on standardized
communication services and data objects. Theoreti-
cally, any manufacturer’s BACnet device can com-
municate with any other BACnet device. As long as
the manufacturer adheres strictly
to the standard, interoperability is
no longer a fiction but a reality. But
to ensure that this interoperability
continues down the device genera-
tions in a building, there is a need
for binding engineering guidelines
from planners and end clients. As
long as proprietary data objects or
properties are used for communi-
cation, interoperability is lost. Then
the operator is bound to a single
manufacturer despite the open
BACnet standards. The neutral ten-
der process as a means of reducing
costs through free competition is there-
fore meaningless.
The Saia® BACnet monitor helps end
clients and planners to identify whether the
installed automation system meets their speci-
fications or not, prior to acceptance. The BAC-
net monitor can monitor BACnet installation even
during operation, and alert the operator if a device
is operating outside the specifications during main-
tenance or extension work on the BACnet BA system.
BACnet standards from 2001
to 2008, currently 700 pages.
Only products tested and
certified according to BTL
(
BACnet Test Laboratory)
can guarantee standard
compliance as the basis for
interoperability.
Typical approach to a building project with the lean approach The continuous improvement process
during the operating phase was factored into planning. The BACnet monitor helps to recognize the
realization of optimization potential in BACnet facilities.
Build
optimize
Acceptance
BACnet-Monitor
Monitoring throughout the life cycle
BACnet
PL
(
AMEV)
Operate
Plans
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