Direct Digital Controls DDC or DDC Systems offer a high level of control for building mechanical and electrical systems. Additionally, the modern state-of-the-art direct digital controls have the ability to offers trends of data points of HVAC/Electrical equipment. Trending can be used to increase efficiency and troubleshoot problems with mechanical equipment. DDC integration can occur with any type of mechanical or electrical system in the building.

Additionally, the system can communicate via the internet for remote monitoring and control. Alternative names are building automation systems, building management systems, and energy management systems.

Direct Digital Controls DDC

DDC systems can also be integrated with SCADA systems. Additionally, monitoring and control of various applications controlled with PLCs. HVAC DDC Systems allows operators and maintenance personnel alike to maintain optimum efficiency. Optimum efficiency of the equipment by giving operators real-time information that allows the operator to respond. Respond to alarms and small problems before they become big problems.

The maintenance people can use it to maintain precise maintenance schedules based on the actual run time of the equipment. The benefits of DDC systems are numerous. Added energy efficiency along with other efficiency enhancements makes DDC systems pay for themselves. Pay for themselves in a short period of time.

HVAC Controls and Efficiency

As time goes on DDC systems become more complex. As technology advances so do this high-tech part of HVAC. How can Direct Digital Controls DDC offer higher efficiency levels than just average out-of-the-box conventional controls? These control systems offer precision control for air conditioning, heating, lighting, and other systems that consume power.

For example, an office building has hot water heaters for domestic uses such as washing hands and in the office kitchens. Hot water heaters, out-of-the-box electric water heaters, generally come with thermostats. These thermostats will cycle on and off when the temperature inside the water heater changes.

How DDC Status Works – Methods and Types | HVAC ControlLearning HVAC Controls

If you want to learn how DDC systems work we have many resources here to help you. Use the menu to the right (in the DDC category) to help you learn as much as you want to learn about DDC. Here is a brief list of things you will want to read about:

• Building Automation Systems
• The DDC Control Loop
• DDC Programming  and Symbols (3 pages)
• Benefits of HVAC Control
• How DDC Status Works
• HVAC Controls and Direct Digital Controls
• DDC Integration
• Direct Digital Controls Commissioning
• Variable Frequency Drives
• And many other articles we have on commercial HVAC and building automation systems.

This will go on 24/7 all year. So even at midnight when no one is in the office the conventional water heater is consuming power. Even though it is not really needed at that time. A few relays and a DDC system and you can tailor a program that will shut off the water heaters. Turn them off when they are not in demand or needed. Adding a layer of insulation to the water heater and limiting the times that it comes on can save lots of money.

Money on energy consumption which means energy savings and a lower electric bill. There are many other uses for Direct Digital Controls DDC as the above example only scratches the surface of what can be done with these high-tech systems.

Communication Protocols | Direct Digital Controls DDC

DDC controls can utilize proprietary and open source communication protocols for communication from device to device. Current popular protocols include BACnet, MODbus, and Lonworks. Various. systems can be integrated using an integrator router. Other types of communication protocols include IP and MSTP. Most DDC Controls systems can be found in commercial buildings and institutional buildings.

The controllers can be retrofitted to existing HVAC equipment and lighting control offering temperature and humidity control, and lighting control. Additional these systems can be integrated into access control systems. As you may imagine, these intelligent building systems save energy. By using a graphical user interface (any computer connected to the internet or local network) a building engineer can check building equipment and make changes or spot possible trouble spots.

HVAC Control Manufacturers

Some DDC Control manufacturers include Siemens, Honeywell, Automated Logic, Emerson, Schneider, and many others. These companies provide automation controllers and automation software. These systems make a building system into intelligent buildings saving energy by making everything energy efficient. DDC or building automation controls merge hardware and software to mainly control commercial office buildings.

It turns these buildings into green buildings making them super energy efficient using precision control. Energy audits can be performed through trend analysis keeping any facility operating at peak performance. It offers Building Automation Systems a way to precisely control air conditioning, heat pumps, air handling units, variable frequency drives, lighting, pumps, and many other integral parts of the building. These systems save building owners in energy efficiency.

For a full list and more about what DDC can do visit our building automation systems page.

DDC Systems or Direct Digital Controls

Resource: The Fundamentals of HVAC Direct Digital Control