Recent meetings between the two organizations have opened the door to the full integration of wireless EnOcean and wired BACnet-enabled technologies, with the result that an EnOcean interoperability proposal has been drafted for the BACnet committee meeting at AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. BACnet – a data communication protocol for building automation and control networks is defined in the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135 – 2008 and also the international standard ISO 16484-5.

The working group’s current standardization efforts aim to ensure the interoperability of multiple EnOcean and BACnet solutions available today or in development, as well as future implementations. “The task at hand is to define common implementation rules for an EnOcean/BACnet gateway,” said Dave Robin, Chairman of the BACnet Technical Working Group. “This will entail a number of issues, including specifying the network topology and the BACnet/EnOcean objectives needed to define a single model so that all implementations will be interoperable.”

As the organization responsible for promoting the use of BACnet technologies for building automation, BACnet International sees this as a significant achievement. “The world has evolved towards a wired and wireless infrastructure, and it is a significant step to bridge these together with a standard mechanism for building automation suppliers and users,” said Andy McMillan, President of BACnet International and President/CEO of Teletrol Systems. He added, “In the IT world, wired and wireless interoperability has long since been accomplished. I am very happy to be involved in the effort to make this available for the building automation industry.”

Leveraging the strengths of both technologies will create long-term value by allowing the existing wired BACnet infrastructure to seamlessly add wireless devices for additional functionality and greater energy savings. “As a practical, wireless extension of BACnet solutions, EnOcean technology is ideal for lowering cost of ownership in retrofits and new buildings,” said Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO of EnOcean Alliance. “As a field-proven solution for the BACnet environment, many facilities have already successfully deployed wireless solutions in which EnOcean and BACnet technologies are interoperating to reduce installation and maintenance costs, along with providing energy savings beyond 30 percent.”

A number of EnOcean Alliance partners will be exhibiting a range of interoperable EnOcean wireless devices for the BACnet platform at AHR Expo (Orlando, FL, Jan 25-27), including Distech Controls, winner of an AHR Honorary Mention Award for this platform.

About ASHRAE

Founded in 1894, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is a nonprofit technical organization whose 51,000 members influence the direction of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) technology by creating industry standards and recommended procedures and guidelines, developing research and writing technical information.

For the latest information, visit: ashrae.org.

About BACnet

Developed under the auspices of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), BACnet is an ASHRAE, ANSI and ISO data communications protocol for building automation and control networks. Tracing its development back to 1987, the BACnet protocol allows heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, lighting, security, fire detection and other building automation and control systems to communicate and exchange information, regardless of service performed.

For the latest information, visit: bacnet.org.

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs, and promotional activities. The BACnet standard was developed by ASHRAE and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing installation, commissioning, and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication.

For more information, please visit bacnetinternational.org.

About the EnOcean Alliance

EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of currently 130 international corporations, shares the common goal of standardizing wireless control systems for sustainable building applications. The core technology of the Alliance centers around EnOcean’s patented energy harvesting and radio-frequency technology offering self-powered wireless operation in the form of flexibly positioned, maintenance-free sensor solutions. The goal of the EnOcean Alliance is to standardize and internationalize EnOcean wireless technology through the creation of true interoperability between all products produced by the Alliance’s OEM partners. EnOcean Alliance is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in San Ramon, CA.

For more information, please visit enocean-alliance.org.

With this autonomous device it is possible to interconnect directly the internal system (building automation, industrial automation, BACnet, ModBus, Konnex…) to the external system (fire system, access control system, security system, HVAC, cold/warm generation, energy generation & measurement, lighting, hotel management, home automation…). A console RS232 port is also available to connect a laptop PC for programming and monitoring the device. IntesisBox® also offers the possibility to be connected to Ethernet/LAN/WAN networks expanding thus its possibilities with connection to ethernet/IP based protocol systems, remote monitoring, networks interconnection, web server, internet/e-mail alarm sending, SNMP…

Inside its internal structure, the IntesisBox® incorporates a high performance and reliability microcontroller with flash (non volatile) memory where the operating system and integration code (firmware) are saved. This internal structure, along with a watchdog system, ensures a suitable operation of the device every time, even when faced with power irregularities such as micro-cuts or longer power failures. It has no mechanical mobile components (fans, hard discs…), therefore reducing potential malfunctions and maintenance to almost zero, making this ideal device for industrial environments. It allows (depending on the model) the generation and register of datalogs associated to internal variables, useful for example to register historical data for temperature, relative humidity, etc. Thanks to an internal interchangeable lithium battery (with approx. 10 years life time), the internal historical data is stored in case of power failure. The firmware can be also updated via the console port.

IntesisBox® allows DIN rail mounting for easy installation inside an industrial cabinet and allows a wide range of input supply voltage, from 9 to 30VDC and also 24VAC, with a low power consumption of 1.4 watts. The operating temperature range is from -40°C to +70°C and the relative humidity from 5% to 95% (non condensing). It is not necessary to have any external RS232/RS485 converter, because IntesisBox® has RS485 port and can be directly connected to a RS485 bus. IntesisBox® can be also equipped with a Konnex TP1 (KNX/EIB) optocoupled port allowing to be directly connected to any KNX/EIB bus. All available IntesisBox® hardware versions are compliant with RoHS directive (2002/95/CE).

Along with the device, it also comes supplied (free of charge) with the LinkBox software, the software tool that’s needed for configuring and monitoring the IntesisBox®. LinkBox software runs on MS Windows® operating systems and uses a serial port to communicate to the IntesisBox®. It is possible to use LinkBox Software off-line (not connected to IntesisBox®) to configure the IntesisBox® more comfortably in the office and later download the configuration to the device using the serial connection in the field. Also supplied (again, free of charge) is a console cable that’s needed in order to configure the device.  This is a standard DB9 male to DB9 female cable.  Intesis can also supplied (on demand) an external plug-in power supply (european plug) 230VAC/12VDC 300mA to power the IntesisBox® if required.

The IntesisBox® is available to order now from KNXshop.co.uk in the Communication > Gateways/Convertors section.

About Intesis Software

Intesis Software design and develop interfacing solutions for building automation systems under its own brand and OEM. Since their formation in 2000, the products have been available in more than 10 countries and 3 continents. Their success is due to the reliability and performance of the products and the quality of service provided. To find out more about Intesis and their products, please vist Intesis.com.

Full integration of all the essential building services (DALI lighting, heating, blinds, AV, Access control) in this busy and critical intensive care ward. Reliabilty not optional.

Project Description

Imperial College London Healthcare, QEQM Adult intensive care unit was moved into a new floor of an existing building. The challenge was to incorporate the all service requirements of such a sensitive space with the simple usability that is required for 24 hour use by a rotation of staff. KNX delivered a wide ranging solution from straightforward lighting control to more complex control of HVAC, TVs and access control.

• All functions are controlled from 21 x Gira InfoTerminalTouch 7″ touchscreens with KNX interface
• Lighting – DALI control of all luminaires by constant brightness and motion
• Blinds – venitian blinds lift and tilt to provide brightness control and privacy

Customer Comment

“We were suprised that there was such a comprehensive solution available. We had tried other systems in the past, but they were invariably not fit for such comprehensive applications On every occasion we asked more of KNX the answer was, “Yes”. The end result is an excellent solution for the hospital, and has been operating faultlessly since being commissioned.” Hospital M&E Services Manager.”

Top features

1. Wall mounted touch screens for nurse control of all room variables including the TV and a ‘crash’ situation
2. DALI lighting control throughout. Flexible levels and energy saving
3. HVAC control via BACnet from touchscreens
4. Control of wall mounted TVs from a Gira touch screen via IP
5. Access control to wards opening doors
6. Motion sensors on all corridors and rooms
7. Venitian blind control for brightness and privacy
8. Control of ‘Intelligent Glass’ for privacy between treatment rooms