Integrated Automation System Hardware Application Requirements

This article is about general and technical requirements for Hardware Application Requirements used in Integrated Automation System or Building Automation System.

Integrated Automation System Hardware Application Requirements

1. General:

   1. The functional intent of this specification is to allow cost effective application of manufacturer’s standard, <LonTalk®, BACnet®> open protocol products while maintaining the integrity and reliability of the control functions.
   2. A PICU and PPCU as specified above is generally fully featured and customizable whereas the AUC and BCT refers to a more cost-effective unit designed for lower-end, high quantity applications. Specific requirements indicated below are required for the respective application. The Contractor may apply the most cost-effective unit that meets the requirement of that application.

2. Standalone Capability:

   1. Each Controller shall be capable of performing the required sequence of operation for the associated equipment.
   2. All physical point data and calculated values required to accomplish the sequence of operation shall originate within the associated Controller with only the exceptions enumerated below. Listed below are functional point data and calculated values that shall be allowed to be obtained from or stored by other Controllers via the FAC LAN.
3. Where associated control functions involve functions from different categories identified below, the requirements for the most restrictive category shall be met.
4. Application Category 0 (Distributed Monitoring):
   1. Applications in this category include the following:
      • Monitoring of variables that are not used in a control loop, sequence logic, or safety.
   2. Points on NCs, PICUs, PPCUs, AUCs and BCTs may be used in these applications as well as IASs and/or general-purpose I/O modules.
   3. Where these points are trended, Contractor shall verify and document that the network bandwidth is acceptable for such trends and is still capable of acceptable and timely control function.
   4. Standalone Capability:
      • Provide capability to execute control functions for the application for a given setpoint or mode, which shall generally be occupied mode control.
      • In the event of a loss of communications with any other controller, or any fault in any system hardware that interrupts the acquisition of any values, the controller shall use the last value obtained before the fault occurred.
5. Application Category 1 (Application Specific Controller: AUC, BCT, PICU): <Modify to Reflect Project Requirements>
   1. Applications in this category include the following:
      • Airflow Control Boxes (VAV).
      • Unitary equipment less than 15 tons Package Terminal AC Units, Package Terminal Heat Pumps, Split-System AC Units, Split-System Heat Pumps, Water-Source Heat Pumps.
   2. Standalone Capability:
      • Provide capability to execute control functions for the application for a given setpoint or mode, which shall generally be occupied mode control.
      • In the event of a loss of communications with any other controller, or any fault in any system hardware that interrupts the acquisition of any values, the AUC shall use the last value obtained before the fault occurred.
   3. Mounting:
      • AUC, BCT, PICU that control equipment located above accessible ceilings shall be mounted on the equipment in an accessible enclosure and shall be rated for plenum use.
      • AUC, BCT, PICU that control equipment mounted in a mechanical room may either be mounted in, on the equipment, or on the wall of the mechanical room at an adjacent, accessible location.
      • AUC, BCT, PICU that control equipment mounted outside or in occupied spaces shall either be located in the unit or in a proximate mechanical/utility space.
      • IAS Provider shall furnish AUC, BCT, PICU to the terminal unit manufacturer for factory mounting.
   4. Programmability: Operator shall be able to modify all setpoints (temperature and airflow), scheduling parameters associated with the unit, tuning and set up parameters, interstage timing parameters, and mode settings.  Application-specific block control algorithms may be used to meet the sequence of operations.  The ability to customize the control algorithm is not required unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   5. FAC LAN Restrictions: Limit the number of nodes on the network to meet all system performance criteria and to no more than 80 percent of the maximum resource limits recommended by the manufacturer.

6. Application Category 2 (General Purpose Terminal Controller: AUC, BCT, PPCU, PICU): <Modify to Reflect Project Requirements>

   1. Applications in this category include the following:
      • Unitary Equipment greater than or equal to 15 tons (Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Packaged Heating/Cooling Units, and similar).
      • Small, Constant Volume Single Zone Air Handling Units.
      • Constant Volume Pump Start/Stop.
      • Miscellaneous Equipment (Exhaust Fan) Start/Stop.
      • Miscellaneous Monitoring (not directly associated with a control sequence and where trending is not critical).
   2. Standalone Capability:
      • In the event of a loss of communications with any other AUC or BCT or PPCU or PICU or any fault in any system hardware that interrupts the acquisition of any of these values, the AUC or BCT or PPCU or PICU shall use the last value obtained before the fault occurred.
      • Only the following data <as applicable> may be acquired from other AUC or BCT or PPCU or PICU via the FAC LAN.

Mounting:

1. AUC, BCT, PPCU, PICU that control equipment located above accessible ceilings shall be mounted on the equipment and shall be rated for plenum use.
2. AUC, BCT, PPCU, PICU that control equipment located in occupied spaces or outside shall either be mounted within the equipment enclosure (responsibility for physical fit remains with the Contractor) or in a nearby mechanical/utility room in which case it shall be enclosed in a NEMA 1, locking enclosure.

Programmability:

1. Operator shall be able to modify all setpoints (temperature and airflow), scheduling parameters associated with the unit, tuning and set up parameters, interstage timing parameters, and mode settings.
2. Operator shall be able to address and configure spare inputs for monitoring.
3. Operator shall be able to address and configure spare outputs for simple single loop control actions or event initiated actions.
4. Application-specific block control algorithms shall used to meet the sequence of operations. The ability to customize the control algorithm is not required unless specifically indicated otherwise.

FAC LAN Restrictions: Limit the number of nodes on the network to meet all system performance criteria and to no more than 80 percent of the maximum resource limits recommended by the manufacturer.

Application Category 3 (Programmable Control Unit: AUC, PPCU, PICU):

<Modify to Reflect Project Requirements>

1. Applications in this category include the following:
   1. Large Air Handlers.
   2. VAV Air Handlers.
   3. Dual Duct Air Handlers.
   4. Multizone Air Handlers.
   5. Self Contained VAV Units.
   6. Air Handlers serving critical areas.
2. Standalone Capability:
   1. In the event of a loss of communications with any other AUC, PPCU, PICU or any fault in any system hardware that interrupts the acquisition of any of these values, the AUC, PPCU, PICU shall use the last value obtained before the fault occurred.
   2. Only the following data <as applicable> may be acquired from other AUC, PPCU, PICU via the FAC LAN.

Mounting:

1. AUC, PPCU, PICU that control equipment located in occupied spaces or outside shall either be mounted within the equipment enclosure (responsibility for physical fit remains with the Contractor) or in a nearby mechanical/utility room in which case it shall be enclosed in a NEMA 1, locking enclosure.

Programmability:

1. Operator shall be able to modify all setpoints (temperature and airflow), scheduling parameters associated with the unit, tuning and set up parameters, interstage timing parameters, and mode settings.
2. Operator shall be able to address and configure spare inputs for monitoring.
3. Operator shall be able to address and configure spare outputs for simple single loop control actions or event initiated actions.
4. Application-specific block control algorithms shall used to meet the sequence of operations.
5. The ability to customize the control algorithm is required.

FAC LAN Restrictions: Limit the number of nodes on the network to meet all system performance criteria and to no more than 80 percent of the maximum resource limits recommended by the manufacturer.