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

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

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Building Automation Systems

Building Automation Systems (BAS) have revolutionized how buildings operate, offering centralized control and automation of various functions like lighting, HVAC, and security. However, with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), BAS are poised for a significant transformation. AI can analyze...

Energy

Navigating the Cost-Benefit Equation for BAS in Energy Management

Building Automation Systems (BAS) offer a powerful tool for optimizing energy consumption in buildings. While the potential for cost savings through improved energy efficiency is significant, the initial investment required for BAS implementation can be a hurdle for building owners and facility...

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,...