The NEWS was very busy at the AHR Expo in New York City, visiting as many booths as possible in search of new products. Below is a comprehensive list of all the commercial controls products we found on the show floor.

Advanced Controls Inc. showcased its disconnect switch for variable-frequency drives (VFDs) to prevent downtime of equipment due to VFDs damaged through a non-sequenced shutdown. ACI integrates an early break auxiliary contact into the disconnect switch, which signals the VFDs processor that the disconnect contacts are being switched off.

Alerton introduced the Alerton Ascent building management system. The suite of products includes software, wall sensors, and control module. Ascent combines BACnet and Tridium’s Niagara Framework within one controller.

Bosch Thermotechnology offered a DDC controller option for use with its commercial FHP heat pumps. The FHP DDC controller is preprogrammed and factory installed to be job site ready. It operates in 100 percent stand-alone control mode or connects to a building automation system (BAS) using open protocols like BACnet, Modbus, N2, or LonWorks. Bosch FHP offers more than 15 available input/outputs for the DDC controller, including discharge air temperature, leaving water temperature, fan run time, night setback status, heating and cooling set points, and alarm status, among others. A BACview hand-held diagnostic tool is also available to allow local access to display and modify user-defined properties without the need for any computer software.

Caleffi S.p.a. exhibited its Z-one™ Relay Multi-zone switching relays ZSR Series. The ZSR Series is a multi-zone pump and boiler operating control for multiple-zone hydronic heating or cooling systems. It interfaces with low-voltage thermostats, or any other low-voltage controllers having a switching action. It controls up to three, four, five, or six heating circulator pumps, depending on the model selected. It includes a primary pump and has LED indicators to provide functional status and easy system troubleshooting. In addition, a primary pump-system circulator is switched on whenever any zone calls for heat. The ZSR Series features 120 vac pump outputs and is compatible with 2-, 3-, or 4-wire thermostats.

Carlo Gavazzi Automation SpA showcased its SB2WEB BACnet building controller for smart buildings. The Linux-based controller is equipped with an Etherport for BACnet/IP and Modbus/TCP communication, and via the two RS485 ports it can collect data from Carlo Gavazzi energy meters and various third-party Modbus devices.

Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., displayed its Energy Demand System, which creates a wireless network of automated demand-management and demand-response controllers that can be installed onto any packaged rooftop unit. Utilizing patented intelligence, the system can dramatically reduce peak electrical demand by up to 30 percent in commercial and light commercial properties and allow for effective scheduling of overnight and weekend loads.

Control Technologies Inc. introduced the LOBOS intelligent HVAC optimization platform for buildings 200,000 square feet and greater. Built on the Niagara platform, LOBOS is available as an energy-efficiency and/or automated demand response upgrade and is compatible with most modern HVAC control systems. LOBOS brings intelligent, efficient operation to commercial comfort systems by serving as a brain (intelligence) to the building automation system’s (BAS) nerves (gathering inputs) and muscle (exercising control).

Distech Controls Inc. had extended BACnet and LonWorks HVAC controllers for terminal equipment applications such as variable air volume (VAV) fan coils, chilled beams, and heat pumps with built-in features and logic for lighting and shade/sunblind control. Distech also displayed its Allure EC-Smart Vue, which features four integrated sensors: temperature, humidity, CO2, and motion. The ECB and ECL-50 Series are BACnet and LonWorks HVAC programmable controllers with live graphics LCD screens.

Emerson Industrial Automation introduced HVAC Drive H300, a variable-speed drive dedicated to building automation, which has been developed to provide improved speed and ease of installation and maintenance, in a highly reliable package. New features, including a real?text keypad with HVAC?specific parameters and menus, plus dedicated PC tools, ensure faster and more efficient commissioning and setup. The LCD keypad provides four lines of real text to guide setup and special HVAC macros pre?set for fan, pump, or compressor modes, plus autotune features, which enable automatic configuration.

Franklin Control Systems displayed its Energy Management Bypass (EMB), which offers advanced protection and metering in variable-frequency drive (VFD) or bypass mode. Standard bypass mode features include American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-grade power metering (in bypass or VFD mode), damper and valve control, belt loss protection and fault alarm, phase loss, phase unbalance, UL 1053 ground fault, and OV/UV protection for VFD. Other features include integrated BACnet control, and enclosure options for any environment.

Fuji Electric Corp. of America showcased its FRENIC-HVAC slim-type inverters, designed for energy savings and optimal control of fan and pump applications. The inverters have features such as built-in CE filter and DCR for all models, four proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers, a real-time clock, customizable logic and BACnet MS/TP, Metasys N2, and Modbus RTU-embedded functions.

Full Gauge Controls exhibited its Evolution line for the control of facilities in refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning systems. The Evolution line of controllers is initially available in the following models: TC-900 E power (frozen), MT-512 E 2HP (refrigerated), MT-622 E (temperature), MT-530 E Super (humidity and temperature), and Phase LOG E plus (energy).

Gems Sensors and Controls showed the LWC-800 float-type low-level cut-off control. It is designed for boiler low-water cutoff protection. There is an optional design with a power-outage feature that allows for resets after nuisance power outages.

Ideal Industries Inc. displayed its 1101 and 1201 Series Wireless Sensors. Both are battery-powered sensors which feature a 25-year battery life. The 1101 operates at 2.4 GHz, while the 1201 functions at 915 MHz. Both transmit temperature, humidity, dew point, light level, and external-temperature or contact-closure measurements once per minute. They have a small form factor and are wall-mountable.

Intellidyne LLC featured the PTAC, a microprocessor-based electronic control that uses intelligent Dynamic Cycle Management® technology to automatically adjust the compressor cycles to achieve maximum efficiency and reduce electrical usage while ensuring consistent comfort levels.

Jackson Systems LLC exhibited Web Comfort™, a wireless communicating energy management system. It consists of an industrial control processor which coordinates all energy management functions of the Web Comfort network.

KMC Controls Inc. displayed the BAC-400 Series AppStat that combines a controller, multiple sensor options, and BACnet networking into a single, integrated, space-mounted device.

LTG Inc. highlighted its Smart Flow Controller, making chilled beams and induction units more comfortable and user-friendly. Fresh-air volume and cooling capacity can be adjusted to current needs to ensure minimum energy usage and maximum comfort. A variable demand from 0-100 percent allows for a high user response due to demand-controlled ventilation.

Lumec Control Products Inc. featured its Automated Oxygen Control System for gas-fired industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers. This system uses the patented IRISvalve™ technology to control the ratio of air and fuel gases, providing the many benefits of ideal combustion ratio control for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers. These benefits include reduced fuel consumption (estimated 5-10 percent), lower maintenance costs, and longer component lives. The company said the unit is easy to install and commission, and does not interfere with existing boiler controls.

Paw Na Inc. exhibited its SolexDWHX modular zone control system for solar and hydronics. The solar heat transfer station is a preinstalled and pressure-tested unit with an integrated double-wall heat exchanger for transferring heat from the collector to the storage tank. A completely insulated, generously dimensioned double-wall stainless steel plate heat exchanger and integrated preset and prewired controller ensures a simple and quick installation as well as safe commissioning.

PLC-Multipoint Inc. introduced its Nucleus lighting control networks. Its Nucleus controllers include standard features such as two-way network capabilities using two 24-V signal wires. The Nucleus also provides operation using a time clock as well as daylight and occupancy sensors.

Preferred Utilities Mfg. Co. showcased its Fuel System Controller (FSC). The FSC is a programmable logic controller with features specifically designed for critical data center and health care backup generator fueling systems. FSC controllers automate fuel oil pump sets, suction integrity tests, leak-detection monitoring, generator day tank level control, day tank return pumps, main tank filtration/chemical treatment skids, multiple main tank motorized selector valves, tank gauge integration, tank truck off-loading, and much more. Each FSC has an independent power supply, CPU, and I/O. Multiple FSC controllers communicate over a master-less, electrically isolated, dual-redundant network.

Regen Energy exhibited its Swarm Energy Management system, a fully automated wireless solution for demand management and demand response. The controllers dramatically reduce peak electrical demand in commercial and industrial properties and allow for effect scheduling of overnight and weekend loads. It features a 2.4-GHz band and a weatherproof, flame-retardant plastic.

Schneider Electric Americas introduced the SE8000 Series of room controllers. The controllers can be integrated into most building management systems and provide remote monitoring and control of HVAC, lighting, and metering systems. The controllers have a selectable color scheme as well as multiple language options. The company integrated both the sensor and direct digital control functions in a single device. The cover, screen, and fascia come in customizable colors. Wood tones are now available for some elements, along with slate, aluminum, and other traditional colors. The company is continuing to add to the language options as requests are made to help with installation.

Spartan Peripheral Devices displayed wireless zone actuators ME8335, ME8395, and ME8385. They are summer-winter, cooling-heating, automatic-changeover, wireless-control valve actuators used for two-pipe fan coil units.

tekmar Control Systems introduced the Snow Melting Control 654. It is designed to operate hydronic or electric equipment to melt snow or ice from any surface. With the use of in-slab or aerial-mounted sensors, the 654 can automatically start the system as soon as snow is detected. New features include tekmarNet® communication, tandem snow/ice detection, storm pre-warning, EconoMelt, zone priority, and tracking.

Thermokon Sensortechnik GmbH presented its building automation portfolio, including EasySens EnOcean-based wireless, battery-less sensors and controls. Self-powered by light and motion, the sensors are also compatible to major building controls communication protocols.

TPI Corp. showcased its Columbus Electric setback on-demand model SDHW1001 thermostat, said to be a self-learning, seven-day setback for commercial and industrial applications. It does not require programming. With the use of motion sensor, it learns schedules and changes automatically with schedule changes.

TSI Inc. exhibited its PresSura hospital room pressure monitors and controller. According to the company, the PresSura products help provide safety in isolation rooms, operating rooms, and other specialized spaces by continually measuring room pressure and indicating room conditions. The PresSura products assist hospitals and engineers to comply with relevant ASHRAE, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) standards. Backed by TSI’s thermal-based pressure sensor, the PresSura’s functionality includes options for temperature and humidity measurement inputs, and multiroom monitoring. All parameters and notifications are displayed on the PresSura monitor’s customizable, flush-mount color touchscreen. In addition, TSI now offers a nurses’ station module that can remotely monitor up to eight rooms on one display.

Vector Controls GmbH introduced its TCX2 communicating controller, which features OPU2 remote display with temperature and humidity sensors, copy/save application parameters with AEC-PM1 memory card, four independent control loops, eight universal inputs, virtual temperature and humidity inputs from OPU2, seven binary outputs, three analog outputs, two fan-control modules, alarms/interlocks on every input, configurable output, built-in economizer, cascade control, set point compensation, remote enable/disable, clock, and seven-day programmable time schedules.

Wago Corp. featured its Jumpflex® line of signal conditioners and relays, which include a loop-powered signal conditioner offering conversion, isolation, and transmission of a variety of signal types. The 857-450 features power supplied by the output signal loop so no separate 24-V dc power supply is required. The compact signal conditioner is designed for safe electrical isolation of circuits at 2.5 kV with less than 0.1 percent transmission error enabling precise signal values.

Waterline Controls displayed its WLC Series water-level control system. It can be used in a stand-alone application with building management connections where water level management is important. The unit is user-friendly with LED indicators to let users know which functions are performing, and is produced in a modular-construction form for easy access to all components. It integrates with building or site automation using a set of dry contacts for each activation and deactivation.

WattStopper showed a family of lighting control panels for buildings. The panels were said to allow designers to layer multiple controls and integrate with other building systems to meet new energy code requirements and optimize energy management.

Publication date: 2/17/2014 

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