Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and Trends

Counterfeiting Kills

Each year, the counterfeiting of well-known brands and products continues to rise, creating an even more threatening problem. Such well-known counterfeited brands, including consumer safety and critical electrical products, are estimated to be five to seven percent of world trade. The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) estimates that the counterfeiting of distinguished brands costs industries $600 billion each year worldwide and may result in as many as 750,000 lost jobs every year in the United States.

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Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

Introducing Intelligent Power Today

Welcome to Intelligent Power Today Magazine, our publication that explores and explains the who, what, where, when, why and how of intelligent electrical devices, a collection of complex mechanical devices and sophisticated control systems used in industrial, commercial, and institutional...

State of Industry

Illuminating Decisions: EPRI Lights the Way for Modern Lighting Adoption

Facility managers and operators understand the critical role lighting plays in their daily operations. Accounting for roughly 30% of a commercial building's energy load, lighting significantly impacts energy consumption and associated maintenance costs. However, focusing solely on the...

Featured

Advanced protection against electromagnetic exposures and electric arc

HAZARDS AROUND While working live in the energized grid, presence of voltage around the workers requires special attention. However, live-line (live working) techniques are widely applied for decades, several accidents in the past prove that the level of safety must be improved to minimize...

Building Automation Training

Biometric Access Control in Building Automation

Biometric access control systems use unique physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial features, to verify individuals' identities. This technology has gained significant traction in building automation, particularly for entry and sensitive area authorization, promising enhanced security and streamlined operations.

Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in managing access control within modern buildings. Traditionally, access control relied on physical keys or keycards, offering a basic level of security. However, advancements in biometric technology are paving the way for a more secure and convenient approach: biometric access control.

Biometric access control systems utilize unique biological identifiers of individuals, such as fingerprints, facial features, iris patterns, or even palm veins, to grant or deny access to specific areas within a building.

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Types of Biometric Technologies

Several biometric modalities are used for access control within BAS:

Fingerprint Recognition: This is a widely...

Communications

The Internet of Things Revolution: Integrating Smart Devices with BAS

Building Automation Systems (BAS) have transformed building management, offering centralized control and automation of various building functions like HVAC, lighting, and security. However, the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) presents exciting new opportunities for BAS. By integrating...

Energy

Optimizing Energy Consumption for a Sustainable Future

In today's world, where energy costs are on the rise and environmental concerns are paramount, building automation systems (BAS) are emerging as a powerful tool for achieving significant energy savings and fostering a more sustainable future. These intelligent systems act as the central...

HVAC

Legacy Systems: Strategies for Integrating Outdated HVAC Equipment into Modern BAS

Building automation offers powerful tools for streamlining HVAC operations, optimizing efficiency, and improving comfort. However, a significant challenge arises when dealing with legacy systems - older HVAC equipment from various generations that might lack the native compatibility necessary for...