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INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMING HVAC CONTROLS Innovation is the cornerstone of progress in any industry , and the HVAC sector is no exception . Smart thermostats , automated systems , and advancements in sensors , controls and artificial intelligence ( AI ) are revolutionising how we manage heating , ventilation and air conditioning systems .
Ivan Potter , CEO of i4 Group and iLED ( Pty ) Ltd , shared insights into their cutting-edge developments in this field . iLED ’ s journey of innovation started four years ago with a focus on releasing products tailored for general input-output monitoring . Their key value proposition lies in creating devices with intelligent control capabilities at the edge , allowing for customised configurations to meet specific deployment needs . This sometimes means that the device has no communication infrastructure such as BACnet MSTP or an IP connection – these devices operate in a disconnected state and only connect when there is a need to transfer data .
" Our aim was to offer devices that could be easily configured to fulfil precise requirements wherever they ' re installed ," Potter explains . " That ' s why we developed configurable controllers , providing a range of smart edge devices supporting multiple communication protocols for seamless integration into higher-level
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Three product families have recently been released under the eZiControls family :
• Smart Edge input-output devices : These offer flexible configuration options to monitor and control various inputs and outputs , catering to diverse HVAC requirements . Two RS485 ports allow for sub bus communication to devices such as smart sensors .
• Smart Edge communication devices : Offer small input / output count , two RS485 ports , Ethernet , Wi-Fi , Bluetooth and 4G . Potter illustrates the significance of these devices with a practical example involving a hospital ' s need to monitor oxygen levels in remote tanks . The smart communication devices enable data transmission through various methods such as Wi-Fi , Bluetooth or 4G , eliminating the need for costly cable installations , particularly in remote monitoring scenarios .
• Visualisation devices : Recognising the demand for graphical representation of data , iLED introduced visualisation devices designed to enhance data interpretation . These touchscreen displays provide intuitive visuals , allowing users to easily comprehend complex data visualised via easy-to-understand widgets , empowering users to make informed decisions and take prompt action as needed . User input is supported with password protection optional .
Potter emphasises the distinction between connected and disconnected Edge devices . Connected devices are wired together or communicate among each other where each device is designed to be permanently on-line or connected – there are no data costs . An example of this is a BACnet MSTP bus with multiple devices . Disconnected devices are designed to only communicate when required – normally using a cellular or data connection where costs are incurred per data packet – underscoring the unique challenges and considerations associated with each . Disconnected Edge devices , while offering flexibility , introduce cost implications due to data transmission expenses , prompting the need for efficient communication management strategies .
" Operating in a disconnected state entails managing connectivity and data costs , which require specialised technologies ," Potter says . " Our Edge devices are engineered to communicate on change of state or on specific time intervals , lowering data costs . This leverages the latest technologies for efficient communication , ensuring seamless data flow to cloud databases and integration with building management systems ."
SIMPLIFIED USER INTERFACES ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY Potter notes that simplicity often proves to be the ultimate sophistication , which is why their range of visualisation devices are designed to streamline operations through intuitive user interfaces .
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RACA Journal I May 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za