In today’s high-tech world, electrical equipment integration is more critical than ever. It plays an essential role in reducing operating costs, improving efficiency, and minimizing maintenance costs. Many industries rely on integration to perform communication operations, such as information technology and building management systems (BMS). Additionally, integration improves overall efficiency, analyzes historical data, monitors conditions and fault diagnostics.
So, what is electrical equipment integration, and why is it important?
Integrating electrical equipment offers the ability to monitor and measure electrical usage. As a result, it reduces energy consumption by improving power consumption visualization in real-time, trends, and historical data. Further, this contributes to recognizing trouble within your system and planning for maintenance before a fault occurs.
Those involved with building systems in today’s energy-conscious world need to know where they use and waste energy. Integrating electrical equipment with building management systems (BMS) can improve the ability to operate building systems efficiently. Moreover, it makes improvements based on accurate real-time and historical trend data.
But, how do they gather the data?
This process is achieved with a proper EPMS (Electrical Power Monitoring System). EPMS provides a communication platform that connects all your electrical equipment, giving building operators the power to manage at a more competent level.
Electric equipment system designers need to specify the communication protocol before integrating it with other building systems. Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus ASCII, and BACnet/MSTP, BACnet IP are standard protocols. Additionally, the communication protocol structure needs to be determined, as RS-232, RS-485, and Ethernet all use different cables and speeds. Wireless systems are also available and differ from wired systems.
Solve Problems, Not Symptoms
Integration of your electrical equipment and other systems can prove to be highly beneficial. A designer’s key specifications should integrate the ability to manage, operate, test, and view trends for the current and future environment. Don’t wait for problems to arise before you solve them. Increase your visualization to solve problems, not symptoms.
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Nick Skarvelis | APT Senior Electrician