Beckhoff will present its PC- and Ethernet-based control technology for building services applications for the first time at ISH in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, between 12 and 16 March 2013. The focus is on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) as an important component of integrated building automation. A truly sustainable and energy-efficient solution can only be achieved through optimum interaction of all building services. The integrated hardware and software platform from Beckhoff not only enables the energy saving potential to be fully utilised beyond the efficiency classes required by the EU, it also enables the effort and costs for engineering and building operation to be minimised.
Around 40 % of global energy consumption occurs in buildings, so that in view of increasingly scarce resources there is an urgent demand for more building automation. Planners, system integrators and HVAC suppliers are therefore urged to utilise all savings potentials and use energy as efficiently as possible. Beckhoff offers the optimum basis with its integrated building automation concept, which meets the requirements for the top energy efficiency class A, as specified in the European standard EN 15232.
The Beckhoff Bus Terminal system is the basis for the acquisition of all data points in the building. All building functions and function changes are realised in software. This means maximum flexibility with low engineering costs and enables functional expansion and modifications to be carried out during operation. The integrated TwinCAT platform can deal with all key building functions, including the central heating plant, air conditioning systems, room automation, lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning and facade control.
Integrated software minimises costs
The TwinCAT automation software enables building projects to be programmed based on the international IEC 61131-3 programming standards. PLC libraries are available for all building services infrastructure components. TwinCAT PLC HVAC is an extensive PLC library with function blocks for automating all building services. In addition to conventional HVAC functions relating to energy generation and distribution, it also includes room automation functions for lighting, shading and air-conditioning.
Shading, lighting, ventilation, heating and cooling functions can be combined depending on time and occupancy, resulting in heating and cooling energy savings. Shading can be used to reduce unwanted heat input from outside during unoccupied periods in the summer, while in the winter the heating energy consumption in south-facing rooms can be reduced by allowing daylight to enter.
A high-performance BACnet/IP solution is seamlessly integrated in the TwinCAT environment through a corresponding software package. Objects can therefore be generated and configured directly from the PLC. Each Beckhoff PC control system can be used as a BACnet building controller. Particularly suitable are the Embedded PC series such as CX2000 und CX9020, which directly integrate the modular I/O level.
Wide range of hardware as a basis for flexibility and openness
With more than 400 different I/O terminals, the Beckhoff Bus Terminal system for interfacing the data points supports all common sensors and actuators and can deal with any building system. The terminals can be linked to the required fieldbus system through a wide range of Bus Couplers. The compact BC9191 Room Controller is designed for price-sensitive applications. It covers all standard room automation functionalities in a compact housing.
The integrated control solution from Beckhoff offers open hardware and software for data communication: In addition to Ethernet TCP/IP, it supports all common communication standards such as BACnet/IP, OPC UA and Modbus TCP at the automation level, and DALI, DMX, EnOcean, LON, EIB/KNX, Modbus RTU and others at the field level.
Of particular interest for energy-efficient building operation is the KL6781 M‑Bus master terminal, which enables optimum integration of electricity, water, gas or energy meters with an M-Bus interface and without expensive special hardware, and the KL6771 MP-Bus master terminal for controlling HVAC components such as actuators for valves, control valves and VAV flow controllers.
The new standard motor interface (SMI) is also supported: the KL6831 Bus Terminal integrates LoVo SMI devices and the KL6841 230 V AC SMI devices. The SMI bus system is used for controlling and exact positioning of roller shutter and sun protection drives. In conjunction with intelligent energy and lighting management the blades can be positioned and moved according to the position of the sun.
Using advanced multi-touch functionality
With the CP2xxx panel series Beckhoff offers in addition an advanced and user-friendly operating concept with multi-touch display, integrated in a modern, elegant device design. Conventional 4:3 displays and widescreen panels are available in a wide range of sizes between 7 inch and 24 inch. In this way, the building can be operated intuitively in a way that is familiar from smartphones and tablet PCs.
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Beckhoff at ISH 2013: Hall 10.3, Booth C79
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