Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure
In my previous blogs I have talked a lot about some of our great solutions for Building IOT. If you haven’t checked them out, you can here.
When it comes to designing Building Automation solutions, it is difficult when you have old hardware to work with or you are integrating many systems. For example:
HVAC – AHUs, VAVs, etc.
Smart Meters – Energy meters, flow meters, heat pumps, etc.
Security – Access control, fire panel, etc.
Lighting control
Workplace environment – Room booking, room control, etc.
Written by Mark Lloyd, Senior Product Manager- Power Supplies & Surge Protection
Flat and efficient is a good, if boring, overall description of the STEP range of power supplies.
Originally launched in 2003, updated in 2008, and now launched in its third generation, the STEP3 is now even more efficient. In fact, it is the first din rail power supply in the world to deliver Efficiency Level VI – the highest level possible – in no-load and part-load operation. With an efficiency of more than 94% and no-load losses of less than 0.1W, there is far less unwanted heat generated compared to most power supplies on the market.
Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure
PLC Logic is a product provided by Phoenix Contact. This solution provides small IO potential for the Building Automation market. The controller has enhanced functionality- like PID control- and I feel it is worth you knowing about this as it is capable to communicate over Modbus and integrates well with our Niagara controller ILC 2050 BI. This little gem could be used as a HVAC application but also has potential for other applications too.
Written by Karl Fazakerley, Product Manager- Device Connections
First and foremost I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope it turns out to be a successful one for you all.
For this year we are focusing into the world of building automation, the big trends which we are beginning to see come in to play and of course where Phoenix Contact and our vast range of products and solutions sit in this arena.
Building automation has been around for some time but it is evolving rapidly. Communication between devices, communication between protocols, and communication between whole cities is here and moving fast. We are lucky that we now have the technologies to diminish many of the shortcomings we have had and make great leaps and bounds forward.
Cities are undergoing what could only describe as a wave of digital transformation. To understand the needs, we have to manage our ecosystems. It is estimated that by 2050, 66 percent of the global population will be located in cities, that is an additional 2.5 billion people to our current number. With rapid population growth and urbanisation transforming the way we get on with our day to day lives, we need to find methods of improving and maintaining our current quality of life by using our resources more efficiently.
Smart cities work by using IoT sensors, actuators, and different protocols to connect components across the city. With these devices, which monitor everything from the air to the street to the Underground, cloud based IoT applications receive, analyse and manage data in real-time to help businesses and the general public make better decisions that can, in turn, work towards making their (and our) lives that bit easier. Another huge benefit is that smart cities also benefit the environment. Pairing devices and data with a city’s physical infrastructure and services cuts costs and improves sustainability with both water and energy usage, which in turn reduces CO2 emissions.
A massive step forward will be the further deployment of 5G
technology. This will be a turning point
to propel smart city technology and development into the mainstream. 5G will allow larger amounts of data to be
communicated across networks much faster than we have been able to achieve so
watch that space.
Where do we fit in? At Phoenix Contact we have a vast range of products that are perfectly suited to manufacturer’s who specialise in this arena.
Everything from BMS control system solutions right down to the Printed Circuit Board, we have something that will help you with your design of a complete system down to the design of a device. For example, if you are looking into board to board connectivity for high pole counts, look no further than our robust Finepitch range of connectors with both shielded and unshielded options. It is the perfect solution to use when designing future proof devices suitable for use in building automation device applications.
Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure
Since working for Phoenix Contact (I’m 4 months in!), I’m enjoying every moment and growing my understanding how our 60,000 products help customers in the marketplace.
My background in industrial automation started when I joined a SCADA organisation some years ago. Having worked with winning projects within BAS, I’ve come to understand the software and hardware of our ever evolving industrial world. With buzz words like Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, Industrial Internet of Things, many platforms are becoming more integrated as cloud based solutions grow further in our market.
Written by Nigel Dawbarn, Sales & Marketing Manager- Industry Management
Consider the possibilities of having all the functionality of a building controller but with up to 63 I/O terminals directly connected to the controller, an integrated 4 port Ethernet switch, M-Bus and DALI modules, again directly connected to the controller, multi-protocol support and all running on the Niagara 4 framework and it’s available in an industrial platform…what more could you want?
If you can believe it, 2017 is coming to an end and we about to embark on another year. This year has been a great year Phoenix Contact and I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed our blog posts and discovered how our great products can help you and your business.
But if there are any that you have missed, would like to revisit, or you just need a little break from the last manic Monday of the year; I have put together some of the year’s best blog’s, so grab yourself a brew (or mulled wine and mince pie, it is Christmas after all) and revisit our industry highlights of the year.
Written by Nigel Dawbarn, Market Segment Manager- Industry Management & Automation
For many years, Phoenix Contact has had the ability to engineer solutions for building automation controls – in 2015 Phoenix bought the company Sysmik GmBH which has led to us now having a new controller with new software to offer the market – the ILC 20150 BI which is programmed via Niagara Framework Software from Tridium.
I will attend the Niagara Forum this week to learn about the new developments which will be available to us and our customers, so an exciting week ahead!
Written by: Duncan Nicol, Business Development Manager- Device Connections
In the world of Device Connections at Phoenix Contact, we are looking forward to a very busy and eventful 2013. Our plans for the year ahead are in place, kicking off with Southern Manufacturing & Electronics on the 13th & 14th of February in Farnborough. We look forward to seeing you on our stand, F59. For more information on the event please visit www.industrysouth.co.uk.
Consider the possibilities of having all the functionality of a building controller but with up to 63 I/O terminals directly connected to the controller, an integrated 4 port Ethernet switch, M-Bus and DALI modules, again directly connected to the controller, multi-protocol support and all 
running on the Niagara 4 framework and it’s available in an industrial platform…what more could you want?