Replacing the room automation and blind control functions
Issue 01-2019:
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Because the proprietary blind control system in the main building of Electrosuisse, the Association for Electrical Engineering, Power and Information Technologies in Fehraltorf, Switzerland, was aging and therefore no longer operational, Zurich-based EBP Schweiz AG was hired to plan its replacement.
Since the installations were closely intermeshed with the lighting control, the plans involved migrating the entire electrical room automation functions to a new system.
The requirements? Economical and fast implementation
To find the most economical solution, and also the one that could be put into place the fastest, different system variants were evaluated. As part of his master’s thesis, Simon Frei (who is employed at EBP Schweiz AG) compared the “Digitalstrom” system, the KNX bus system, EnOcean with PLC, which was then implemented, and a conventional installation.
After careful consideration, in particular based on the fact that the building would remain in operation and occupied during the renovation work on the approximately 660 blinds and as many as 700 sensors, an overall system from simconex consisting of Beckhoff PC-based PLC controllers, combined with EnOcean as the sensor field bus, was selected after being offered in a manufacturer-independent call for bids.
New actuators
The existing blind control cabinets containing the old actuators were also replaced with PLC stations having suitable output modules. The entire lighting control system was also upgraded as part of the project, so that all lamps are controlled with the PLC controller via EnOcean tactile sensors and, in turn, from the controller via EnOcean actuators or other field buses, such as DALI.
A high-speed data network had to be set up for automation, along with a central building control system with alarm and visualization functions.
Well equipped for the future
In conclusion, it is clear that the highly flexible solution designed by simconex together with Beckhoff and the EnOcean field bus system has led to the creation of a successful overall project, one that was also able to be implemented within the shortest possible amount of time.
The operator is now able to control and monitor all important functions in his building. At the same time, he has made it possible to gradually migrate the equally aging HVAS automation installation into the new system. An open-interface automation system that can be expanded at any time is thus available.
Innovative and sustainable
The EnOcean sensors and actuators can be addressed via the visualization function and reassigned as needed. A reserve slot is also provided in each case, so that an additional sensor can be integrated and also assigned by the customer.
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