Energy saving multisensor for lighting and heating/cooling

Building automation has become more and more important, not for fancy, but a real need for the owner to include different energy saving strategies and make the building more efficient, in order to get a recursive cost reduction in energy.

There are different ways to reduce the energy consumption in buildings, like automation. Heating, cooling and lighting in buildings are the most consuming parts on the installation but at the same time are essential. But in many cases heating or cooling and lighting are switched on when there is nobody on the building, and this is the main complaint of the one who has to pay the bill: How can unoccupied zones be more efficient. The target is then disconnect the services when the zones become unoccupied.

But more energy saving can be also achieved when zones are occupied. A light sensor can be used to provide the light level on the zone at any time during the day. This information is collected by the control system used to dim the lights up to a certain setpoint level previously configured on the system. It is also important to know that dimming lights require electronic devices that takes care to dim the light level, either using a 1-10V interface or also using the DALI digital lighting interface.

The @e-Multisensor 0-10V@http://www.e-controls.es/lighting/multisensores-y-detectores/e-multisens...@ is a universal device that can be used with any control system, independent of the communication bus used like LonWorks (LonMark), BACnet, KNX, Modbus or any other one. The device is designed to work with any protocol because it includes a timed out relay type output to monitor the motion detector status, and a 0-10V analog output to provide the light level of the zone. Therefore, the target of this device is its interconnection to an analog/digital inputs module or any room controller used to switch on, off or dim the lights according to the occupancy status of the zone and manage the heating /cooling system in a same manner. The room controller will also send the state of the signals through the communication bus to make the BMS system a trend register of the occupancy level, light level and energy saving of the installation.

Therefore, the e-Multisensor 0-10V is an ideal device to work with any control system that can be powered at 24Vac or 24Vdc, providing a cost effective solution and obtaining an energy reduction and a very reasonable return of investment.