Air Handler Equipment DDC BAS Controllers

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Air Handler Equipment DDC BAS Controllers These controllers will control an air handler once the wiring is completed. The panel is freshly mounted and waiting for the technician to run the piping and pull the wire from the control points. Other points, such as outside air, temperature sensors in piping or ductwork, flow meters, actuators, or other control points can be terminated to these controllers and the data collected from those input points can be networked over the entire building automation system through the communication trunks. Included in this panel are: a terminal strip connection point for line voltage and control voltage, a transformer to step-down line voltage to the required control voltage of 24 volts which powers the controllers and a surge arrestor which is a requirement on many government jobs.

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How DDC Status Works? DDC Status Methods and Types

Posted on October 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

DDC and Status – Is the Device On or Off

How DDC Status Works? DDC Status Methods and Types

This is a current switch sometimes referred to as a CT switch. This switch has an adjustable range from 1 to 200 Amperes. This switch also has a trip setting so it will trip if an adjusted set amount of amperes is exceeded.

The basics of DDC include learning about the status of a fan or a compressor or pump. How does a DDC controller read the status of the device it is monitoring? There are several ways to prove a device is running and some pros and cons of each type of device used to monitor on or off status. This is a basic DDC guide or reference to help a person understand the basics of DDC status and how it works. When one learns how DDC status works they can improve their troubleshooting skills. Too many maintenance technicians and others including HVAC technicians don’t understand DDC systems or building automation systems and are therefore crippled when it comes to troubleshooting DDC systems. High Performance HVAC hopes to change that and help HVAC techs and HVAC maintenance staff learn the basics of DDC systems including how DDC status works. Once someone understands the basics about DDC a light will turn on and they will see that DDC is not really rocket science.

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HVAC Controls – Building Automation

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Modern buildings use DDC controls for building automation systems. Building automation systems offer energy savings because they are energy management systems. These systems allow management to automatically control many processes involved with HVAC systems, lighting, and emergency systems. Continue reading “HVAC Controls – Building Automation” »

DDC – HVAC Control – Automated Logic M-Stack

Posted on July 26, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

DDC - HVAC Control - Automated Logic M-Stack This Automated Logic M-Stack provides control for multiple pieces of HVAC equipment and integrates network communication all in one single stack. This direct digital control system is integrated with pnuematic controls. DDC allows automated HVAC control processes to take place and adds higher efficiency to an HVAC system. Continue reading “DDC – HVAC Control – Automated Logic M-Stack” »

Energy Recovery Wheels

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Enthalpy wheel in a heat recovery unit

As the cost of energy rises engineers are looking for ways to improve and increase energy efficiency. Aside from HVAC equipment with higher energy efficiency rates, improving structures for less heat loss and heat gain, and building automation systems giving the equipment precision control for better efficiency of the equipment, there are other ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings. One of the ways to increase energy efficiency inside buildings is to add energy recovery wheels to the economizer systems. A US Department of Energy study concluded energy recovery wheels can save over 15% of the energy used in commercial HVAC applications.

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BAS and DDC Learning

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Siemens Apogee DDC Controller

HVAC Building Automation Systems (BAS) or Direct Digital Controls (DDC) is pretty much one in the same. Basically described BAS and DDC is combining air conditioning, heating, ventilation, lighting, electrical loads, security systems, and life and safety systems to a computer and complex algorithms for better control over the systems and to offer higher efficiency levels that could not otherwise be achieved without computer control. The are many different opportunities inside the BAS or DDC field but you have to start somewhere. Commercial HVAC Technicians and Electricians are commonly hired into positions as DDC or BAS technicians and BAS and DDC installers. Where do you begin if you want to get into the field of HVAC BAS and DDC

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Air Conditioning Heating Terms Definitions & Acronyms

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

This is a comprehensive list of HVAC Acronyms and HVAC Terms. High Performance HVAC is certain there are more terms and acronyms. If you know of something we missed please email us. Thanks!

AC – Air Conditioning or Alternating Current

ACCA – Air Conditioning Contractors Associations

AFUE – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

AHU – Air Handling Unit

AI – Analog Input

AMCA – Air Movement and Control Association

AO – Analog Output

AQS – Air Quality Systems

ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers

AV – Automatic Air Vent

AWG – American Wire Gage

B – Boiler

BACnet – Computer communication protocol for building automation systems and control networks

BAS – Building Automation System

BI – Binary Input

BMS – Building Management System

BO – Binary Output

BP – Backflow Preventer

BTU – British Thermal Unit

BTUh – Brtish Thermal Units per Hour Continue reading “Air Conditioning Heating Terms Definitions & Acronyms” »

HVAC Definitions

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

HVAC Definitions In air conditioning and heating the name HVAC is often used. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Other acronyms less used to describe air conditioning and heating applications is HVACR or heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration and HACR or heating, air conditioning and refrigeration. HVAC can be used to also describe the trade HVAC where many technicians and support personal work to install, maintain, and service HVAC equipment. Mechanical and electrical engineers and advanced level air conditioning and heating tradesman have the responsibility to design HVAC equipment and properly ensure it is installed correctly. HVAC and HVACR can include very small refrigerators, air conditioners, and heaters and HVAC can also include very large systems which maintain temperature and comfort factors in large commercial building and industrial settings. Continue reading “HVAC Definitions” »

Tridium HVAC Control Panel in a large Data Center

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Richard Ashworth

Tridium HVAC Control Panel in a large Data Center As data centers go and HVAC controls function are typically done controlled with either direct digital controls or a very complex SCADA system with direct digital controls being the preference in most situations. Tridium is a developer of direct digital controls software and hardware and Tridium specializes in controls integration through the Tridium software they develop that allows different devices and different communication protocols to communicate to one another. Continue reading “Tridium HVAC Control Panel in a large Data Center” »

DDC HVAC Control – Alerton Controllers

Posted on April 6, 2007 by Richard Ashworth

HVAC DDC control has become an integral part building automation systems. Modern DDC HVAC Control is state of the art computer controlled systems which add efficiency to the system. These Alerton controllers are used to monitor and control an air handling unit for a large building. These Alerton controllers have digital outputs (or sometimes referred to as binary outputs, analog outputs, analog inputs, and digital or binary inputs. The Alerton controllers also communicate over a network so it can share point data with other controllers and these points can also be monitored by a computer that is on the local network or over the internet.