Commercial spaces and building management systems (BMS) have many moving parts: HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting control, security, fire detection, and more. How do you get them all to work seamlessly together and speak the same language? The answer is Building Automation Control Network or BACnet.
BACnet is a global data communication protocol for building automation and control systems. It helps standardize equipment and streamline operations across the BMS industry.
BACnet over IP lighting control solutions allow for efficient, scalable, and smarter building management using intelligent field devices (like a sensor with built-in computing capabilities) and other modern technology. Let’s explore BACnet IP's important role in lighting controls and real-world applications.
Here at Functional Devices, we could talk all day about lighting controls. If you give us a call, our support team or engineers would love to answer your questions.
What Is BACnet IP?
We’ve written about BACnet IP before, including in our comprehensive beginner’s guide, but here’s a short recap. BACnet IP is simply an extension of the original BACnet protocol, sending signals through existing Internet Protocol (IP)/ethernet networks instead of over standard twisted pair wiring (as with BACnet MS/TP). It’s sort of like high-speed vs. dial-up internet.
The operation of the BACnet IP protocol can get complex, with devices, routers, and networks all working together. However, the core function remains simple: devices exchange data over a shared network so systems can communicate quickly and easily with other BMS components.
Although there are multiple ways to send BACnet messages, leveraging IP networks is the newest and most advanced technology. BACnet IP's advantages include scalability, higher data transfer rates, and connecting devices over long distances.
Features of Using BACnet IP in Building Management
Integrating BMS components, including lighting controls, over BACnet IP boasts many useful features. They include:
- Interoperability among diverse devices from different manufacturers
- Scalability for operation in single or multiple buildings
- Real-time monitoring and advanced control features
- Network flexibility, including utilizing existing ethernet and Wi-Fi
- Remote access and centralized management from a single location
- Security features inherent in IP networks
From these features come the benefits, both general to the BMS as a whole and specifically to the individual systems.
Benefits of BACnet Over IP Lighting Control Solutions
There are numerous benefits to adopting BACnet IP for lighting controls. Here’s what you can expect:
- Enhanced energy efficiency
- Occupancy sensors. Lights turn on or off depending on sensed motion.
- Daylight harvesting. Artificial light adjusts depending on the amount of natural daylight.
- Scheduling. Lights turn on or off throughout the day automatically.
- Improved system flexibility because adding or modifying devices does not require rewiring
- Reduced installation costs by utilizing existing IP infrastructure
- Streamlined maintenance because of centralized diagnostics and troubleshooting from one control panel
- Future-proof technology compatible with smart building trends and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices
- Easier integration with other systems, including HVAC, access control, and fire safety synchronization
- Seamless collection of data-driven insights like analytics on energy usage, occupancy trends, and lighting performance
As you can see, BACnet IP and its many advantages in building automation can create a more streamlined and functional commercial space.
Real-World Applications of BACnet IP in Lighting Controls
As the BACnet IP protocol continues evolving to accommodate IoT-enabled devices (devices that can connect to the internet and exchange data), we expect to see more smart buildings wielding this system with finesse. Here are some examples of how you might see BACnet IP performing in a lighting control system:
- As a person enters a room, an occupancy sensor detects their presence and turns on the lights. After the person leaves and a certain period elapses without any movement, the lights dim or turn off.
- There’s a lot of sunlight shining through the windows. Light sensors perform “daylight harvesting” and optimize the amount of artificial light in response.
- It’s time for a presentation in the ballroom. The click of one switch dims all the lights to preset levels.
- There aren’t many windows on a specific side of the office. The lights change their color temperature and mimic natural light during work hours.
The degree to which you tailor your building automation system when utilizing BACnet over IP lighting control solutions can enhance your building, upgrading efficiency, scalability, and flexibility
Building Management Systems Built for BACnet IP
BACnet IP allows for the sophisticated interplay of a building’s various systems, enabling them to all speak the same language. It enhances lighting control and building management by improving efficiency, enabling scalability, and evolving with new technologies like intelligent field devices.
From relays to light controllers and more, Functional Devices builds high-quality, time- and money-saving products ready to connect to your existing BACnet IP infrastructure. With devices on your BACnet network, you won’t have to run wiring to new equipment. Instead, rely on the IP network to send commands and read values and enjoy all the benefits of BACnet.
Contact us to learn more about our BACnet IP devices. Our engineers would love to walk you through all the details!
About Functional Devices, Inc.
Functional Devices, Inc., located in the United States of America, has been designing and manufacturing quality electronic devices since 1969. Our mission is to enhance lives in buildings and beyond. We do so by designing and manufacturing reliable, high-quality products for the building automation industry. Our suite of product offerings include RIB relays, current sensors, power controls, power supplies, transformers, lighting controls, and more.
We test 100% of our products, which leads to less than 1 out of every 16,000 products experiencing a failure in the field.
Simply put, we provide users of our various products confidence and peace of mind in every box.