Building
Automation
Control
Systems
AECE1230
Building Automation Control
Systems
Building Automation Control Systems (BACS) are computerized systems used to
control and monitor a building's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP)
systems.
BACS are also commonly referred to as:
• Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Energy Management Systems (EMS)
• Building Automation Systems (BAS)
BACS
A combination of hardware and software
components that work together to automate a
building's operations.
•The hardware includes sensors, controllers,
actuators, and other devices that monitor and
control MEP systems such as HVAC, lighting, fire
protection, security, and access control.
•The software provides a user interface that
allows building operators to monitor and control
the various systems.
Hardware
Sensors, controllers, and actuators
are three essential hardware
components of a BACS. They work
together to monitor, analyze, and
control various building systems.
A Human Machine Interface (HMI) is
an interface between a human
operator and a machine or process.
Sensors (AKA Measurement Device)
Sensors are electronic devices that measure physical parameters such as
temperature, humidity, light levels, occupancy, and CO2 levels.
They are typically placed in various locations throughout the building to capture
data about the building's environment.
The data collected by
sensors is transmitted to the
controller, where it is
analyzed and used to make
decisions about how to
adjust the building systems
to optimize performance.
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Controllers
Controllers are electronic devices that
receive data from sensors and other
sources, analyze that data, and issue
commands to actuators to adjust the
building systems accordingly.
They act as the "brain" of the BACS, making
decisions based on the data collected by
sensors and the programming set by the
building operators.
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Actuators (AKA Final Control Element)
Actuators are electronic devices that receive commands from controllers and
adjust the physical systems in the building.
Some examples are:
• Open a Valve to increase water flow
• Increase motor speed of a fan
• Energize an electromagnet to lock a door
• Close a damper to reduce fresh air intake
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Software
The user interface (UI) of a BACS is the graphical or web-based interface that allows
building operators to monitor and control the various building systems. The UI is designed
to provide a user-friendly way for operators to access and interpret data collected by
sensors, and to make changes to the building systems as needed.
The UI typically displays real-time data and alerts about the building's systems, such as
temperature, humidity, energy consumption, and system faults. Building operators can
use the UI to adjust settings, set schedules, and monitor the performance of the building
systems.
Modern UIs are often web-based and accessible from any device with an internet
connection. They may also feature interactive dashboards, advanced analytics, and
automated reporting capabilities to help operators make data-driven decisions and
optimize building performance and efficiency.
Control Signals
A control signal is a changing characteristic used to communicate building
automation information between control devices. Typically, these signals are
electrical, though some systems use air pressure, light, or radio waves.
There are 3 types of electronic control signals.
• Digital Signals
• Analog Signals
• Structured Network Signals
Digital Signals
Digital signals are a binary representation of data in the form of 1's and 0’s.
Digital signals are used to transmit discrete information such as on/off signals,
alarm conditions, or digital commands.
Analog Signals
Analog signals are continuous signals that vary in voltage or current level over
time.
Analog signals are used to transmit data that varies smoothly, such as
temperature, humidity, or pressure readings. They are typically transmitted
through a variety of media such as 4-20 mA current loops or voltage signals.
Analog signals require signal conditioning to convert the signal to a usable format
for a control system. Signal conditioning includes devices such as signal
transmitters, amplifiers, and isolators.
Structured Network Signals
Structured network signals are a type of digital signal that is transmitted over an
Ethernet network using standard protocols such as TCP/IP or UDP.
Structured network signals are used to transmit information such as video, audio,
and building management data. They are commonly used in building automation
systems for remote monitoring and control, video surveillance, and access
control.
01010011 01110100 01110101 01100100 01111001
00100000 01001000 01100001 01110010 01100100
Control Points
Control points are variables within the controller. Input control points are
received from sensors and output control points are sent to actuators.
For example, a temperature sensor inside a room is an input control point for the
HVAC controller. The output control point is the damper used to adjust the air flow.
Temp Controll
79°
70
Damper
Sensor er
%
Virtual Points
Software-defined points that represent a logical grouping of data.
Used to aggregate and display data from multiple physical devices or points
within a system.
For example, a virtual point might be used to represent the average temperature
of several temperature sensors in a particular zone.
Control Point
1
80°
Control Point
2 Virtual Point
70° 67°
Control Point
3
50°
Setpoints (Reference Point)
Specific values or targets that are used to control the operation of a system.
For example, in HVAC systems, setpoints are used to specify the desired
temperature or humidity level in a space.
Setpoints can be manually set by a building operator or automatically adjusted by
the control system based on data from sensors.
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Offsets
An offset is the difference between
the value of a setpoint and the related
control point.
Wide offset values lead to less
accuracy in the control system.
Narrow offset values result in more
accuracy but can result in hunting if
too narrow.
Deadband
A range of values around a setpoint in which no action is taken by the control
system.
For example, if the temperature setpoint in a space is 72°F and the deadband is
set to +/- 2 degrees, the control system will not turn on the heating or cooling
system unless the temperature falls outside the range of 70°- 74°.
Control Loops
OPEN CONTROL LOOP CLOSED CONTROL LOOP
The output of a control system is not fed The output of a control system is fed
back to the input. back to the input.
This means that the system does not This means that the system can
adjust its behavior based on the actual adjust its behavior based on the
performance of the controlled variable.
actual performance of the controlled
Open loop control is generally simpler variable, making it more accurate and
and less expensive than closed loop reliable than an open loop system.
control, but it may not be as accurate or
reliable. Commonly used in HVAC control.
Control Loops
OPEN CONTROL LOOP CLOSED CONTROL LOOP
Input
Feedbac Controll
Controll k er
Input Output
er
System
Operatio Output
n
Proportional (P) Control
A type of closed loop control where the output of the controller is proportional to
the error between the setpoint and the actual value of the controlled variable.
For example, in an HVAC system, the output of the controller might be
proportional to the difference between the desired temperature setpoint and the
actual temperature in a space.
Proportional control is simple and effective, but it can lead to overshoot and
instability in some systems.
Proportional-Integral (PI) Control
Adds an integral component to proportional control.
The integral component takes into account the accumulated error over time and
adjusts the output of the controller accordingly.
PI control can be more stable than proportional control, but it may have a slower
response time.
Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID)
Control
Adds a derivative component to PI control.
The derivative component takes into account the rate of change of the error and
adjusts the output of the controller accordingly.
PID control is the most complex and sophisticated type of closed loop control. It
can provide very accurate and responsive control.
Control Types
Review
What are the main components of Building Automation Control Systems (BACS)?
What are some examples of sensors, controllers, and actuators?
What are the differences between open and closed control loops, and in what
scenarios might each type be applied?
Can you explain the purpose of setpoints, offsets, and deadbands in maintaining
system stability and efficiency?
How do proportional, proportional-integral, and proportional-integral-derivative
(PID) controls differ?
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