Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and 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 facilities—also known as intelligent buildings.

According to the Institute for Building Efficiency, intelligent buildings use smart technologies to improve system functionality, control operating costs, and to keep building occupants safe, secure, comfortable, and, of...

Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

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...

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...

2024 CE Code Training - Better Understanding of the Rules

CE Code training is intended to do a lot more than instruct about what changes have taken place since the last time Canada issued a national electrical code. We are producing a series of courses across Canada by one of Canada’s leading experts on the 2024 Edition of Canada’s Electrical...

Building Automation Training

Beyond Basic Sensors in Smart Lighting

In the realm of building automation, lighting control has evolved from basic on/off functionality to sophisticated systems capable of responding to detailed environmental and occupancy changes. Advanced sensors play a pivotal role in this evolution, enabling smarter, more energy-efficient, and user-friendly lighting solutions.

Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in optimizing lighting control within modern buildings. Traditionally, BAS relied on basic occupancy sensors that simply detect presence or absence within a space. However, advancements in sensor technology are enabling the use of advanced occupancy detection and activity recognition systems. These advanced sensors go beyond basic binary detection and analyze movement patterns, offering a more nuanced understanding of space utilization.

The Limitations of Traditional Occupancy Sensors

Traditional occupancy sensors typically operate on a binary "vacant/occupied" model, triggering lighting based on motion detection. While effective in basic scenarios, these sensors often lack the granularity to understand the...

Communications

Taking BAS to the Cloud: Exploring the Advantages and Considerations

Building Automation Systems (BAS) have become a cornerstone of modern building management, offering the promise of optimized energy consumption, improved occupant comfort, and streamlined operations. However, traditional on-premise BAS solutions can present limitations in scalability, remote...

Energy

The Internet of Things: Building Automation Meets Granular Control

Building Automation Systems (BAS) have established themselves as a cornerstone for optimizing energy consumption in buildings. However, the recent explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) technology presents exciting new possibilities for BAS. By integrating BAS with a network of smart sensors and...

HVAC

How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping HVAC Efficiency

Traditionally, HVAC control within building automation systems has relied on rule-based systems and human programmed schedules. These systems, while effective, leave significant room for further optimization. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offers...