Month: January 2018

Remote Terminal Units

Remote Terminal Units

Remote Terminal Units

01/04/17

“How can we implement a distributed control system?”

 

Distributed Control Systems are famous for their ability to transmit data and control the physical world over distant ranges. However, how exactly can we implement these systems in real life, without making the components too expensive? Well, let’s use our scientific mindset to find out. We know that microcontrollers can send and receive information on a rapid basis. And these microcontrollers can then connect to one another to form a greater network. So what if we were to simply use these microcontrollers as the interface for distributed control systems? Well, these special microcontrollers are called Remote Terminal Units.  Remote Terminal Units can be likened to the tentacles of an octopus, each a separate part of a grander control system.

How Local Wildlife Can Affect a Building’s Power

How Local Wildlife Can Affect a Building’s Power

How Local Wildlife Can Affect a Building’s Power

01/03/18

“How can a building’s energy be shut down by a little critter?”

 

Something very interesting happened at my school today. A little squirrel found its way into the central power line and decided to have a nibble on the insulation cord. Soon enough, (s)he had destroyed the connection, knocking out power to the entire university, even the cogeneration facilities! I think that this little event illustrates how local wildlife can affect a building’s power systems. To guard against such an event, construction managers add further insulation from the external world or apply animal repellent in the wires. If such an event does happen, then local generators, batteries, or solar panels can be placed to allow for backup power

BACnet

BACnet

BACnet

01/02/17

“What is the communications protocol for building automation systems?”

 

Building automation systems are amazing for optimizing building energy systems. However, in order to operate, they need their own communications protocol. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, after many years of research, the good engineers of ASHRAE have been able to develop a protocol known as BACnet. BACnet stands for Building Automation and Control network and is the standard for all BAS systems.

Zone Valves

Zone Valves

Zone Valves

01/01/18

“How can we control fluid flow in a hydronic heating system?”

 

Hydronic heating systems are famous for their use of liquids to control heating. And many of these systems are taken further by dividing the volumes they cool into multiple zones to keep multiple areas at different temperatures. However, how can we actually implement this? Well, we can accomplish this using a little piece of technology known as a zone valve. Zone valves can regulate the flow of water into multiple areas, allowing for a truly zoned system.