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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 initial fixture cost misses a crucial aspect of responsible lighting management – the long-term perspective.

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Beyond the Sticker Price: Unveiling the True Cost of Light

Modern lighting solutions promise a...

Buyer's Guide

News & 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...

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...

Building Automation Training

Legacy Systems: Strategies for Integrating Outdated HVAC Equipment into Modern BAS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 seamless integration. Confronting this hurdle effectively is key to maximizing the benefits of automation in established buildings.

 

Understanding the Compatibility Challenge

Proprietary Protocols: Historically, many HVAC manufacturers used closed communication protocols, making their systems reluctant to "talk" to devices or software from other vendors.

Varying Lifecycles: Different components within an HVAC system (chillers, boilers, air handling units, etc.) may have been installed or replaced at different intervals, leading to a mix-and-match environment with no unifying communication standard.

Outdated Control Systems: Older equipment might still rely on basic pneumatic or analog controls, creating a stark contrast with modern digital building automation platforms.
Integration Strategies

The good news is that outdated systems...

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

Overcoming Integration Hurdles in BAS for Energy Management

Potential and Integration Challenges for Energy Optimization Building Automation Systems (BAS) hold immense promise for optimizing energy consumption in buildings. By intelligently controlling various systems, they can significantly reduce energy waste and improve overall efficiency. However, to...

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,...