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

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...

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...

Building Automation Training

Life Safety & Security Systems: The Interoperability Challenge

Building automation holds the promise of enhanced security and streamlined operations through centralized management and intelligent coordination across various systems. However, many buildings face a significant hurdle: legacy security infrastructure. Often, essential systems like access control, video surveillance, and fire alarms were designed and deployed in isolation. This lack of initial integration creates barriers to achieving the unified view and automated responses possible within a fully integrated building automation system (BAS). This article analyzes the interoperability challenge, offers strategies to address it, and stresses the importance of prioritizing open standards and interoperability when choosing security solution vendors.

The Roots of the Interoperability Problem

The difficulty in integrating building security systems stems largely from their historically fragmented nature. Many legacy systems were designed using proprietary communication protocols specific to a single vendor. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for these systems to exchange information with other solutions or the...

Communications

Stretching the Reach: BAS and Remote Building Management

In today's fast-paced world, building managers are often tasked with overseeing multiple properties spread across vast distances. Building Automation Systems (BAS) offer a solution by enabling remote monitoring and control of building systems. This allows for centralized management, improved...

Energy

Building Automation Systems and Occupant Experience

Modern buildings are increasingly focusing on occupant well-being, recognizing the link between a comfortable environment and occupant satisfaction, productivity, and overall health. Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in achieving this goal, offering a range of features that...

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,...