Beckhoff Building Automation: PC-based automation as the basis for energy efficient buildings.
Investors and planners are faced with the challenge of coming to grips with energy costs without making cuts in the comfort of a building. The basis for this is the control and measurement of the energy consumption of individual systems. PC-based automation offers the ideal solution for the acquisition of energy and consumption data as an integral component of intelligent building automation. The energy consumption for current, water, gas or heating is recorded directly in the Beckhoff Bus Terminal system.
Investors and planners are faced with the challenge of coming to grips with energy costs without making cuts in the comfort of a building. The basis for this is the control and measurement of the energy consumption of individual systems. PC-based automation offers the ideal solution for the acquisition of energy and consumption data as an integral component of intelligent building automation. The energy consumption for current, water, gas or heating is recorded directly in the Beckhoff Bus Terminal system.
In addition to building automation functions, Beckhoff PC-based control technology also offers the basic data acquisition technology for energy:
* Local signal acquisition via the Bus Terminal I/O system.
* Data transmission via Ethernet or other bus systems.
* Evaluation in the Industrial PC via TwinCAT automation software.
* Provision of the energy data via standardised interfaces (eg, OPC) to higher-level systems of the building and data management.
The seamless integration of the energy and consumption data acquisition for all the automation systems results in savings potentials and synergies, both in the system installation and in the operation of the building. The measured data is transferred to the control centre via open interfaces and analysed by the building management system. On the basis of comprehensive statistics and analysis functions, the building operator can recognise weak points and initiate targeted improvement measures. The available data pool also enables exact accounting and billing of consumption.
Energy consumption measurement via bus terminals
In addition to the standard terminals, the Beckhoff Bus Terminal system also offers numerous I/Os for measurement applications:
* Acquisition of current consumption via the power measurement terminal (KL3403) and/or the digital multimeter terminal (KL3681).
* Acquisition of water, gas and heat consumption via M-bus (KL6001/KL6021 serial interfaces with level converter).
* Temperature measurement, eg, via the KL3228 8-channel resistance measuring terminal.
* Pressure measurement or the detection of leaks in the compressed air supply (KM3702).
Using TwinCAT automation software, the measured data is processed further and switching and regulating actions may be implemented immediately; alternatively, communication with the command level is established.
The energy data is made available via defined software interfaces, such as OPC, to the higher-level energy management software or the building management, where it is evaluated or analysed. The measured data can additionally be assigned to certain cost centres, for example by connecting to an ERP system.
Using the ‘TwinCAT Scope 2’ software oscilloscope, curves can be displayed graphically with a resolution of microseconds.
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Beverage bottling facilities are among manufacturing’s most energy-intensive environments, yet many still operate without granular insight into where that energy goes. Rezolia Muller-Potluri of Schneider Electric explains how tiered metering architecture and advanced
Read more...Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...You can’t digitise a blackout Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Read more...How to tell whether your mini-substation is new or refurbished
Electrical Power & Protection
Cosmetically refurbished mini-substations are being misrepresented as new equipment and sold back into the market, posing serious reliability and safety risks for mining, industrial and commercial operations. Trafo Power Solutions explains what to look for and what questions to ask before purchasing.
Read more...Optimising energy reliability for African manufacturing
Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Unreliable power can cost African manufacturers as much as 31% in sales. Behind-the-meter power offers manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa control, visibility and resilience in their energy provisioning.
Read more...Electrical solutions for FMCG manufacturing giant
Electrical Power & Protection
An electrical upgrade at a leading fast-moving consumer goods facility demonstrates how ACTOM Kenya turned a fragile, reactive power infrastructure into a resilient, data-driven backbone for production. The project is also a case study in bridging legacy equipment with modern automation without disrupting operations.
Read more...Test bench for temperature calibrating power semiconductors Beckhoff Automation
Temperature Measurement
Precise temperature characteristics are essential for performing power cycling tests on power semiconductors. Infineon Technologies determines these characteristic curves on a test bench using PC-based control. As a result, calibration has become more precise and the efficiency of the entire test laboratory has increased significantly.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version