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

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...

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...

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...

Building Automation Training

Protecting HVAC Systems within a Building Automation Network

In modern buildings, the HVAC system is rarely an isolated entity. Building automation systems (BAS) integrate HVAC components with an array of sensors, controllers, and a central management platform — all connected through networks. This interconnectivity provides significant benefits in terms of optimization and control but also introduces crucial cybersecurity vulnerabilities demanding careful consideration.

HVAC Systems as Targets

While it might not be the primary objective of attackers, HVAC systems within a BAS network present attractive targets for several reasons:

Disruption of Operations: By manipulating HVAC settings, attackers can cause discomfort, potentially force a facility to shut down, or inflict damage to temperature-sensitive equipment.

Entry Point to the Network: Compromised HVAC components can serve as a beachhead to access other, more sensitive parts of a building's network.

Resource Drain (Botnets): Insufficiently secured HVAC devices can be hijacked and assimilated into botnets used for carrying out larger-scale attacks.

Common Vulnerabilities in...

Communications

Cutting the Cord: Exploring Wireless Communication Protocols for BAS

Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in modern buildings, enabling centralized control and automation of various functions like lighting, HVAC, and security. Traditionally, BAS relied on wired networks for communication between building automation devices and the central control...

Energy

Utilizing Machine Learning for Predictive Maintenance in BAS

Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in optimizing energy consumption and maintaining building comfort. However, traditional BAS primarily focus on reactive maintenance, addressing equipment failures only after they occur. This reactive approach can lead to costly downtime,...

HVAC

Wireless Sensor Networks and the Impact on HVAC Monitoring

Traditional building automation systems have often relied on a relatively sparse network of wired sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and perhaps a few other basic parameters. Wireless sensor networks are disrupting this model, enabling the deployment of far denser arrays of sensors,...