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Alexa Who Won the 2016 Controltrends Awards Light Commercial System of the Year?

Who Won the 2016 Controltrends Awards Light Commercial System of the Year?

2016 saw the reemergence  of building automation control systems in smaller buildings. All the great technology that was packed into more expensive control systems was now available at competitive price points making building automation  affordable for all. Ken Smyers called this trend “the Race to the Small Space”.

This race continues today. The year 2015 -2016 saw many great companies make this Race very competitive with their new or improved light commercial product offerings .Watch this ControlTrends Awards video and join the excitment as the 2016 ControlTrends Awards Light Commercial System of the Year is crowned.

Also, make sure

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HVAC Tech School: The Easy Way to Convert 0-135 ohms to 4-20 ma

What is the easiest way to convert 0-135 ohm signals to 4-20ma signals?

One of the most common questions we receive  at Stromquist & Company  is how to convert zero to 135 ohms signal into a 4 to 20 milliamp signal.


Think about how many times you have been in the field and your control signals don’t match. Maybe you have an older damper or valve actuator that operates off of a 135-ohm signal and the new controls system ends out a 4-20 ma signal. 

One option is to replace the actuator that takes a 0-135 ohm signal with an actuator that accepts a 4-20 ma signal. Your local control vendor will love you for this, and it will work but this is the expensive way to solve the control signal conflict.

A less expensive way is to use a device that will convert a 0-135 ohm signal to a 4-20 ma signal. 

ACI offers a plug and play interface board for this exact application. Watch as  ACI’s Tech Support Manager, Matt Buchholz, demonstrates how these devices work.

These are typically used in retrofit applications like the situation we mentioned before,  where you have a zero to 135 ohm actuator and your controller is sending out a 4-20 ma control signal. You will see these on control applications controlling ducks, tanks, boilers, pipes, and other heat exchangers.

The  ACI analog rescaling module DRM can be factory calibrated for a zero to 135-ohm input and a 4 to 20 milliamp output.

Another common question we receive is how to convert a 4 to 20 milliamp signal into a zero to 135-ohm signal.

Another product  we handle at Stromquist & Company is an interface from ACI called the DRM 3.1. The DRM series accepts analog pulse or floating-point input signals converts them into a proportional resistive output. it directly replaces a variable resistance controller and simulates the action of a slide wire or rotary potentially actuator..

The DRN 3.1 must be ordered with a resistance network, the resistance network would be ordered to match your required resistance output. The most common is a zero to 135 but other common values are zero to 270 ohms, zero to 1000 ohms and zero to 10,000 ohms.

The DRN3.1 is an interface that allows microprocessor control of a variable resistance. The DRN3.1’s isolated resistor network can be controlled by several different DDC signal types. It directly replaces a variable resistance controller and simulates the action of a slide wire or rotary potentiometer. All connections of the simulated potentiometer, the wiper and both ends of the resistance range, are available on the DRN3.1terminal strip.  The DRN3.1 accepts an ANALOG, PULSE, or FLOATING POINT input signal (including triac) and converts it into a proportional resistive output. The output resistance does not wrap around if the input signal exceeds the highest or lowest selected input value.  The DRN3.1 has on-board fail-back relays that lock out the original resistive signal during operation.  However, if the supply power is lost, control of the circuit will revert back to the original controller signal.  An easy local override can be made by placing a fixed (or variable) resistor between W and R Fail-safe terminals.  The DRN3.1 is covered by ACI’s Two (2) Year Limited Warranty.

The DRN4 is a resistive output motor actuator interface that accepts several types of DDC system signals. The DRN4 output is 0 to 135 ohms. The input signal types are field selectable by an 8-position DIP switch.  The floating point input accepts two digital signals, one for increase and the other for decrease.  The floating point full scale rate of change is 55 seconds.  Some triac input signals require an accessory.  The DRN4 is supplied in an enclosure that can be directly mounted to a 1/2 inch knockout on the motor acuator.  Color coded wire leads with spade connectors are provided for electrical connections.  The DRN4 is covered by ACI’s Two (2) Year Limited Warranty.

Thanks to Matt and the team any ACI for great products and great training resources.

Webinar The Importance of Accurate CO2 Measurement in Grow Farms Ultizing Belimo’s Sensors

The Importance of Accurate CO2 Measurement in Grow Farms Ultizing Belimo’s Sensors

Belimo’s Dual-Channel CO2 sensors can help Grow Farms increase plant growth and optimize profitability for the end user. We will take a deeper look into applications for Belimo sensors in Grow Farms and how our range raises the bar when it comes to HVAC sensor technology, installation, and design. Register now to learn more about Belimo sensors!
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KMC Commander Uses Data and Control to Grow a Nursery

Watch how the control-pros  at KMC Controls use the KMC Commander use data and control strategies to help Matsui Nursery become more profitable and productive. This is a great example of using smart building controls technonlgy in a unique way. Congratualtions KMC!  

Located in California’s Salinas Valley, Matsui Nursery is one of the world’s largest potted orchid growers. For over 50 years Matsui has been growing flowers in their 2.8 million square feet facility. Matsui is now facing the challenge of data collection and precise control in their facilities to protect, grow, and maintain their Nursery. KMC Controls partnered with Alvarez Technology Group to mastermind an IoT solution using KMC Commander for collecting real-time data monitoring the conditions for thousands of orchids and protecting them from mechanical and climactic inconsistencies. KMC Commander provided a scalable and easy-to-use solution.

Learn more about Matsui: http://www.matsuinursery.com/ 

Alvarez Technology Group: https://www.alvareztg.com/

Visit KMC Controls  at https://www.KMCControls.com.

Johnson Controls Introduces the VP140 Series of Pressure Independent Control Valves

The VP140 reduces energy spend and improves tenant comfort

Johnson Controls rounds out it’s already prolific control valve line with the introduction of it’s VP140 line of pressure independent control valves.  The New VP 140 Pressure Independent Control Valves from Johnson Controls Saves Energy and Improves Tenant Comfort
 
In this post, we will take a look at the Johnson Controls VP 140, what makes the VP140 unique, and why pressure independent control valves are a control pros best friend. The video covers all this and more.
Johnson. Controls is not the first controls company to offer pressure independent control valves. If you follow ControlTrends, you know we re big fans of the pressure independent control valves offered by Belimo, Siemens and Honeywell. I have sold all of these brands and all are solid choices.
 
So why the Johnson Controls VP 140?  In my almost 40 years in the controls business ( yes I really am that old) , I have noticed that Johnson Controls might not always be the first out with a new technology, like the VP 140 pressure independent control valve. They tend not to rush a new product. They look for ways to make a technology better. Then they do massive quality testing before the product ever hits the street…..
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Episode 12: Next Generation Innovation

EPISODE 12  –  Catching Up and Discussing Global BAS Challenges
 
ControlTalk Now the Smart Buildings Video Cast and Podcast will return next week. Aaron Gorka and Brent Burrows are stepping in this week with the Next Generation Innovation Podcast.
 
Aaron and Brent play some catch-up after a month away.  Brent had his first child almost a month-ago and Aaron’s been buzzing in and out of Toronto on Core Business. We bring in Controma the BAS Powerhouse from Poland. We discuss BAS challenges and different ways to tackle them with a Global perspective. Fun and Easy as always!
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HVAC Tech Tip: How to Control a VAV Box with Pneumatics

Let’s get old school today. Believe it or not there are a lot of pneumatic controls still in the field. How do I know this? Because at Stromquist & Company we still stock and sell a ton of them every year.

In this HVAC Controls Training Video, HVAC Control Pro Tim Chanblee  shows you how to control a VAV box with a Pneumatic Controller…..

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The Data Driven Approach to  Making Money in HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

The data driven approach to making Money, or more Money in HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

 
The ever informative Ron Zimmer is at it again. He gives us his unique perspectives, based on his years in the Industry and new research data from CABA.
 
CABA – the Continental Automated Buildings Association is the go to source for data driven competitive intelligence. They have the world’s largest research library, and help influence Industry trends.
 
We caught up with Ron at IBcon 2019. Ron shares his thoughts on the IBcon conference and how it relates to the research data from CABA.
 
Ron makes a very generous offer to our ControlTrends Community, if you want to make more money then watch this video and reach out to Ron.
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Having Trouble Discovering BACnet Points on Your Trane Voyager System?

In the field with HVAC Control Pro Brent Burrows

A special thanks to HVAC Pro, ControlTrends Affiliate, Master Sytems Integrator, Young Gun, and all around cool dude, Brent Burrows as he takes us with him on a service call.

The Problem: BACnet points from a Trane Voyager system are unable to be discovered.

The Solution: Watch as one of Entek’s finest HVAC and Smartt Building Control Techs, diagnoses and fixes the problem.

Great stuff Brent! If you agree, let him know in comments by typing “Well Done.”

Be sure to check Brent out on the Next Generation Innovation Podcast with his co-host Aaron Gorka.

What does the Next Generation Have to Say About HVAC and Smart Building Controls?

Episode 10:Next Generation Innovation

Next Generation Innovation HVAC Controls Young Gun Style

I am so excited to be sharing Episode 10 of Next Generation Innovation with you.

The Next Generation Innovation is a podcast and video-cast for the younger HVAC Control Pros.

Aaron introduces his new co-host Brent Burrows.  Brent is Building Automation Specialist at  Entek in Atlanta. Entek is one of the premier systems integrators in Georgia and Brent is a big part of their success.
Brent knows his stuff!
He works in the field everyday with HVAC and building automation controls and brings this knowledge to the Next Generation Podcast and to ControlTrends with his Tech Tip series.

Your hosts Aaron Gorka and Brent Burrows bring a fresh perspective to all things HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

 In this episode they give you their thoughts on Controls Con.

 Often Irreverent but never boring…

check out Aaron and Brent in Episode 10 of Next Generation Innovation.

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