Beckhoff Automation integrates all aspects of building control
Beckhoff Automation offers a single, compact system that can be used to monitor and manage all aspects of a building — from lighting to heating, cooling and shading. The company describes its technology as open and holistic. Its controls allow numerous protocols to be used, but linked to a single building
Karl Walker, market development manager, explains, ‘The traditional solution of dedicated, proprietary and often closed controls for each part of the building services is not sympathetic towards the principles of BS EN15232 because they often limit communications between systems. Our technology is open and holistic.
Beckhoff’s approach can connect different systems such as lighting and air conditioning to create more energy efficient buildings that are also more comfortable for occupants.
Karl Walker says, ‘A simple example of this might be a PIR motion sensor. In a traditional system, this might only be used to control lighting based on occupancy. With our more open approach, that same sensor could also be used to regulate the heating and cooling. There is no need for duplicate PIRs, which also saves on capital costs.
‘Our agnostic approach to networking means that it is easy to integrate disparate legacy systems with new equipment — minimising disruption and changes to cabling infrastructure, and making the process more cost effective.’
