ControlTalk NOW for Week Ending October 20, 2013

ControlTalk NOW thanks Controlco, one of the most preeminent distributors in the western part of the United States, for being this week’s sponsor and a 2013 ControlTrends Awards Platinum Sponsor. Controlco is a premier distributor of automation systems for a broad spectrum of industrial and commercial clients. “With state-of-the-art products and a full suite of value-added services, we offer a total solution for your automation needs. Since 1958, we have provided hundreds of clients with a thorough offering of controls, instrumentation, software, and professional services to suit their needs.” Featured product: DataEye.

How to Install a Natural Gas Pressure Regulator: Stromquist and Company handles just about every brand of gas pressure regulator. We stock Maxitrol, Pietro Fiorentini, Itron (Actaris), Sensus, and American Meter. It does not matter what brand gas regulator you are using or if you have a natural gas regulator or a LP Gas pressure regulator they all have one thing in common. If you don’t install the gas regulator correctly it will not work properly.

Honeywell Continues Leadership Role in OpenADR, ComfortPoint Gateway Certified! The OpenADR Alliance continues to grow in importance. Honeywell’s participation and recent product certification provides an excellent overview of the OpenADR development and energy provider benefits. OpenADR is for real!

ControlTalk NOW’s first guest is Functional Devices’ Laura Conkle (l.conkle@functionaldevices.com). Laura highlights products from Functional Devices extensive product portfolio. Functional Devices is a globally recognized manufacturer of building automation peripheral devices. energy-saving, lighting, and control components, and their famous relay-in-a-box RIB relays.

Improved Order Process for Honeywell Valve Assemblies: Honeywell is excited to announce that in a few weeks, they will be introducing the new MVN rotary valve actuator for use with control ball valves and pressure regulated control valves. The new compact design not only saves time, it also saves space, giving installers the flexibility to meet the tight space requirements for any project. The actuator can be connected to the valve with one hand without the use of a tool, dramatically cutting installation time.

CONTROL SCHOOL: THE 411 ON SMOKE DETECTORS: Thanks to Lisa Shoulders from System Sensor for this excellent training course on duct smoke detectors. Lisa breakdown code requirements, installing, testing and troubleshooting duct smoke detectors. This is a must for the HVAC Controls Professional.

A New Way To Program EASY IO Controllers: Our friend Mike Marston from Easy IO turned us on to Chris Schneider from OpenBMCS and Bartech Australia. This looks like a great way to interface with Easy IO products. A special welcome to Chris and the folks down under to the ControlTrends Community.

ControlTalk’s second guest is EasyIO’s Mike Marston, open-source advocate and steward of the game-changer, Beast from the East, FG-32 controller. which ideally suited for the light commercial applications.

2012 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The PID Award — Congratulations to Honeywell’s Roger Rebennack for winning the 2012 PID Award.

Forbes’ Tracks Demand Response & Honeywell’s Thermostats are at it Again! Demand Response just keeps coming — and the markets and potential just keep growing. I read this Forbes post by Aaron Tilley, a Forbes staff writer (who lives at the intersection of energy and technology, a great residence indeed) This post gives us an interesting take-away: The evolutionary progress of Demand Response is a visible thing, traveling at the speed of a passenger-freight train, taking on all boarders with a seemingly friendly promise of reward with no consequences. Is everyone but you (and me) on-board yet?

What Makes the Johnson Controls Asset Tool so Special? Ever wonder why those Johnson Controls FX contractors are so price competitive? Well it starts with a great tool that reduces the time it takes to bid, submit, order, and program a building automation controls job. Johnson Controls Robert Harland shows why the Johnson Controls FX Asset Tool is a difference maker for Johnson Controls FX Contractors.

Why You MUST Pay Attention to Social Media to Survive: Thanks to Eric Qualman and our friends at Johnson Controls for this awesome video. This was part of the session Johnson Controls did on Socail Media Marketing at the 2013 Johnson Controls Business Conference. You might also be interested in the on=going series Using Social Media in the HVAC Industry. Using Social Media in the HVAC Controls Industry explores ways in which we can use and adapt to these changes. If you would like to join the conversation reach out to us in comments, or follow us on twitter ( @ericstromquist @kensmyers) and we will connect.

All About Cyber Security: Ken’s TOP 5 Information Pivot Points of Week 42: Since October is officially National Cyber Security Month, it is appropriate to dedicate this week’s TOP 5 Informational Pivot Points to Cyber Security. Read the White House report on Cyber Security, the Director of the FBI’s speech given at the International Conference on Cyber Security 2013, review The Cyber Security & Infrastructure Symposium, meet (ISC)2, and finally, still time to register and learn the latest on Executive Order 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity at the SGIP conference.

ControlTalk NOW will continue to provide a weekly episode featuring the people, products, and the News of the Week shaping our world of controls, building automation, and the HVAC industry.

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