Building Automation System

Building Automation Systems Networking, Benefits, and Challenges

A building automation enables various components in a building, to communicate with each other and enhance the living conditions within the space while reducing energy use and operational costs.

A basic building automation system (BAS) can monitor parameters such as the temperature, light, humidity, occupancy and activities levels. Then, and using algorithms, adjust the appropriate equipment to suit the program levels. The automatic control improves the internal conditions, - making them comfortable, safe and secure while reducing energy consumption.

Other features include monitoring the equipment condition as well as safety or security issues, and sending alerts or sounding

The dashboard is usually located within the building but some have the option of remote access through various devices, allowing facility managers to monitor and control the building conditions from anywhere through the internet.

Networking for building automation

There are different competing wiring systems for building automation; these include powerlines, USB, Ethernet, fiber and other forms of networking. The wired and wireless networks such as those for data are every common. These utilize UTP cables, fiber cables, Ethernet switches, wireless access points, and others in LAN and optional WAN configurations.

The LANs interconnect the various devices in the building while WAN enables communication between different buildings and other resources such as Cloud, remote control devices or rooms. This allows facility managers to monitor and control the systems remotely using mobile or desktop devices over the internet.

While the devices and systems within the building communicate locally, they, in most cases, do not require the internet, but the WAN does, for the system to connect to the external

LonWorks: This is low bandwidth communication protocol that connects devices through fiber optics, power lines, and other networking media. It also uses several network interfaces including the U10/U20 USB network interface and others. It is a proprietary protocol with a limited number of users which are mostly manufacturers.

Benefits of Building Automation

Building automation enables efficient control of the various systems and conditions in the building. This allows the occupants and owners to save costs, improve comfort and living conditions. It adds the ability to automatically monitor and adjust the lighting, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, security and other parameters. Specific benefits include;

• Ability to control systems throughout the day and night including weekends and holidays.

• Reducing energy use helps to build owners or tenants to save on electricity and other energy bills, reduce operational costs and increase efficiency

• facility usage data helps the managers to make better decisions when scheduling lighting, HVAC, security and safety systems

• Improved comfort for occupants and environment for equipment, hence increased