HVAC: On an automated landscape

Discussing the imminent prerequisite to monitor the heat load, cooling and ventilation functions, industry leaders share ways for extemporising the performance by controlling the HVAC&R systems through automation.

Automation in commercial HVAC systems is an essential aspect of building automation systems. BAS being itself an energy efficient management system further enhances the functional ability and durability of an HVAC&R systems, by monitoring and controlling the required air flow, heat load into a system, via automation

Automation control on HVAC in large and connected buildings
Automation is generally reserved for two purposes, accommodating high flows of pedestrian traffic and providing accessibility for people with disabilities. The market for automated doors is becoming more defined.

Samir Gandhi, MD & CEO, Gandhi Automations Pvt Ltd. highlights that there has been a great expansion with the legal mandate for improved building access. He says “As regulations for such acts were being developed, people with disabilities identified the need for improved accessibility to doors as a major problem. Allowing higher resistance forces for manual doors while, at the same time, requiring automated doors, could overcome industry objections to low opening resistance and address the accessibility concerns as well. In fact, several states have already adopted provisions that mandate automated doors in certain situations. Yet others have increased the maximum limit for opening resistance without requiring automated doors.”

However, there is another important argument for giving more attention to automated doors. The concept of “universal design” has become the focus of accessibility in the ‘90’s. “Universal design means design that accommodates all people, not only people with disabilities. It includes design that will assist the elderly, children, pregnant women, people carrying packages, etc. Automated doors are a perfect example of universal design”, Gandhi explains.The type of product most appropriate for a particular application is determined by frequency of operation, speed of operation required, new versus existing construction, traffic flow and cost. Products are available to address the full range of applications based on these factors.

Automated door systems include four sets of components: door and frame, opening and closing hardware, operating controls and information display. Both opening and closing functions can be automated. Some automation products do both. Others only open the door, relying on standard mechanical closers for the closing function.Whereas, Vineet Jain, AGM – Telecontrol, WAGO Pvt. Ltd, says “With the increased practice in automation which is budding as a crucial and critical part in automation, the world has been infusing IoT, and other prerequisite additions to the sector, so as to boost the performance of their systems.

To control operation and monitor the system, programmable controllers are put in use that can be integrated with HVAC application using communication standards to seamlessly regulate, control and monitor every HVAC component from all of the different building systems. The system data is required to be accessible via mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones for real-time assessment.” Moreover, interface electronic technologies such as power supplies, protective devices and signal conditioners provide reliable current flow monitoring via electronic fuses for secure operation, simple isolation of different voltage levels and converting field signals into standard signals.

Products serving as catalysts for automation in HVAC&R
Many manufacturing industries nowadays need a controlled environment in which you limit the amount of dirt and dust in the manufacturing premises. Medical instrument manufacturer, electronics and computer manufacturer, food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and some military applications are but a few of the examples that have strict requirements for maintaining the dust free environment.

WAGO offers comprehensive range of products for HVAC application include solutions for all levels from equipment installation, field systems, automation configuration to application management. WAGO installation components such as TOPJOB® S rail-mountable screw-less terminal blocks and WINSTA® pluggable connection system for preassembled components provide fast and safe on-site installation. In the interface electronics, EPSITRON® power supplies, relays, current measurement devices offer a comprehensive range of perfectly tuned energy efficiency solutions.

WAGO fieldbus controllers support established protocol standards and are ideal for complex control applications and higher-level control of series machines. These controllers with numerous interfaces deliver scalable performance, high integration density and an unbeatable price performance ratio. System configuration, programming and visualization using the IEC 61131-3-compliant WAGO-I/O-PRO and e-Cockpit software package.Configuration and parameterisation software solutions for HVAC applications, in the form of Configuration Tool for the Protocol BACnet, KNX and Modbus, allow devices to connect to a specific network to be easily efficiently addressed and parameterized.

To simplify programming, WAGO has a multitude of pre-configured functions such as HVAC modules, system macros and communication applications available for free. These libraries can directly be used for efficient and error-free system applications.

PFC200 Linux Based controls are used to connect CLOUD over MQTT. Locally, Data can be logged, Stored over SD Card in .csv, SQL, MySQL, SQLite etc. A graphical representation using Web-Visualisation by using Dataplotter Library. WAGO not only provides a wide range of products, but can also furnish tailor-made solutions consistingof fully equipped system distribution boxes. Users not only benefit from shortened assembly times and error-free installation, but also from easier commissioning.

Gandhi says, “We design and manufacture a wide range of automated doors that perfectly suits to any architectural environment – from modern and traditional industrial buildings, warehouses, to fine commercial buildings.” The range includes, insulated, non-insulated, fire resistant, tight sealing, steel, glass, fabric doors with safety features and high-quality standards. The doors provide energy efficiency, rapid opening speeds, advanced safety systems and are easy to operate. They also specialise in designing and manufacturing state of the art Hangar Doors that have unlimited opening widths.

High-speed doors have, thus, become an integral part of all these industries. Prime high-speed doors benefits various operations, including areas with special requirements for temperature control, hygiene, storage and handling of frozen foods, Atex rapid doors are needed in explosion-proof areas, deep freezer automatic roll-up door needs in cold storages, warehousing, loading bays and on conveyor systems. Prime Reset features a special advanced self-repairing system.

Gandhi Automations Pvt. Ltd has introduced the below new products:

• Prime freezer:Prime freezer high speed doors are a perfect solution where cold storage with negative temperatures to as low as – 35°C is required. The curtain is made of reinforced PVC vinyl with heated side guides. Optionally a special and innovative insulated flexible curtain is also available. High speed freezer doors are the solution when temperature control is critical and where forklift traffic is high.

• Prime food:Fast roll up doors for food industry are designed to meet the stringent demands of hygiene in the food industry, Prime food fast roll up doors are resistant to humidity, temperature, corrosion and detergents. It is very easy to clean and disinfect and where tight sealing while partial or full wash down is required. The smooth surface with shiny finish prevents dust build up and is resistant to pressure washing. The self-repairing system automatically resets the door after an accidental impact. The robust construction of Prime Food provides high cycle operation even in wet applications. Optionally Prime Food can be offered with FDA approved polyethylene guides. Fast roll up prime food doors are very useful in FMCG sector.

There has been a great expansion with the legal mandate for improved building access.
Samir Gandhi, MD & CEO, Gandhi Automations Pvt Ltd.

With the increased practice in automation, the world has been infusing IoT, and other prerequisite additions to the sector.
Vineet Jain, AGM – Telecontrol, WAGO Pvt. Ltd.