TUCSON, Ariz. - The FieldServer FS-B4010 is being utilized by the University of Arizona campus here to link energy meters, fire alarm panels, and other devices to the BACnet backbone used throughout the campus. Energy management is very high on the priority list for the university to decrease overhead costs.

FieldServer first had to gain access to the energy meters via the campus WAN using BACnet IP. However, most of the energy meters were using a Modbus protocol.

While energy management control was the primary focus of this integration project, the university also had fire alarm panels, utility systems, and other devices that needed to be integrated into the BACnet IP system. The University of Arizona has more than 435 buildings in its campus. Devices and systems manufactured by more than 35 vendors utilize such protocols as Modbus, LonWorks, and Simplex.

"After evaluating several alternatives to meet this integration requirement, we then performed a series of on-site testing of the devices," said Joe Branaum of the University of Arizona. "We finally decided on using FieldServer to bring the various devices into the campus SCADA."

Publication date: 10/04/2004